James Elkins Signed Sculptural Nude after Tom Wesselmann, Painted Balsa,1987

A unique, studio-made sculptural wall work translating Tom Wesselmann’s iconic Pop imagery into painted balsa relief.

This unique sculptural wall work, dated 1987 and signed James Elkins, is a finely crafted, studio-made interpretation based specifically on Tom Wesselmann’s Monica Nude in Robe and Stockings, laser-cut steel relief, variation #8. The work translates Wesselmann’s iconic Pop imagery from industrial steel into a lightweight, hand-finished object, retaining the clarity of the original composition while introducing a distinctly tactile, studio-driven material presence.

The figure is cut from a single continuous sheet of balsa wood, without layering or lamination, demonstrating a high level of craftsmanship and control. Clean, precise contours define the form, while shallow relief and natural shadow give the work sculptural depth. The painted surface is applied directly to the balsa, allowing subtle material character to remain visible beneath the paint and distinguishing the piece from the enamel-finished steel originals.

The composition derives directly from Wesselmann’s laser-cut steel Monica Nude in Robe and Stockings, variation #8, and does not correspond to the artist’s painted, collage, or other mixed-media versions of the subject. In contrast to the industrial precision of the steel editions—produced in numbered variations during the 1980s—this work emphasizes tactility, hand execution, and the immediacy of studio process.

The result occupies a space between painting and sculpture, balancing graphic Pop clarity with physical presence. The work is signed and dated 1987, and while the artist is not otherwise documented, the signature appears original and integral to the object. No gallery labels or exhibition history are present. Offered for its visual impact, craftsmanship, and informed dialogue with a canonical Pop Art image, the piece is well suited to contemporary interiors and design-focused collections.