Max Neufeldt “Heart and Kettle” Assemblage Collage, Santa Barbara 1975

Max Neufeldt “Heart and Kettle” Assemblage Collage, Santa Barbara 1975
Description
An engaging mixed-media work by California assemblage artist Max Neufeldt, executed circa 1975. This playful “Heart and Kettle” collage combines found objects—metal keyhole, heart motif, and other industrial remnants—against a grid of stained wooden squares. Rich with nostalgia and tactile appeal, it exemplifies Neufeldt’s ability to elevate everyday materials into poetic sculptural narratives.
• Original signed work on wood backing (“Neufeldt Santa Barbara” on verso)
• Assemblage of found objects: metal keyhole, heart form, hardware pieces
• Hand-stained wood panel background in grid formation
• Poetic, industrial aesthetic—“quiet relics of a pre-digital age”
• Estate-issued Certificate of Authenticity included
Dimensions
• Height: 21.25″
• Width: 19.25″
• Depth: 3″
Condition
• Very good vintage condition with light surface wear consistent with age
• All elements securely affixed, no losses or repairs
• Original patina on metal components and natural variation in wood stain
About the Artist
Born in Sylvia, Kansas, and raised in Mount Vernon, New York, Max Neufeldt earned his MFA at Pratt Institute before establishing himself in California. Known for transforming scissors, cheese graters, keys, and tools into evocative sculptural forms, Neufeldt’s work was exhibited at the Pasadena Art Museum and featured in leading design publications. His signature style blends industrial metal with warmer materials, creating pieces that are at once grounded and lyrical.
Provenance
From the Estate of Max Neufeldt (Santa Barbara, CA). Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity issued by the estate.
Collectors of California modernism, mid-century assemblage art, or anyone seeking a distinctive wall sculpture with both historical significance and handcrafted charm.