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25+ Awe-Inspiring Wire Sculptures That Elevate the Art

Wire Sculpture Wire Art Contemporary Sculpture

When it comes to contemporary sculpture, artists work with a range of mediums. In addition to conventional clay and age-old wood, today's avant-garde artists also dabble in paper, soap, and even candy art. Another unexpected material that continues to captivate contemporary sculptors is metal wire—a simple, malleable medium praised for its endless artistic potential and pioneered by modern artist Alexander Calder.

While he is known primarily for his abstract, multi-colored mobiles, Calder also has a prolific portfolio of figurative wire sculpture. What started as experimental jewelry-making turned into a lifelong love affair with the medium, which Calder valued for its versatility and line-drawing-like aesthetic. Using wire made of copper and steel, he crafted numerous sculptures of animals, figures, and, less commonly, objects. Each piece showcases the artist's innovative approach to sculpting and his mastery of the medium.

Many modern-day sculptors follow in Calder's footsteps, producing pieces that feature creatures, people, and things as their subjects. Here, we look at some of the best examples of these works from artists who, time and time again, exhibit their own unique relationships with the wire art form.

Some contemporary artists use wire to craft stunning works of art.

Wire Sculpture Wire Art Wire Figures

Artist: Robin Wight

Wire Sculpture Wire Art Wire Figures

Artist: Robin Wight

Wire Sculpture Wire Art Wire Figures

Artist: Robin Wight

Gifted wire sculptors often feature 3 types of subjects…

Animals

Wire Sculpture by David Mach

Artist: David Mach

Wire Sculpture Wire Art Wire Animals

Artist: Kendra Haste

Wire Sculpture Wire Art Wire Animals

Artist: Kendra Haste

Wire Sculpture Wire Art Wire Animals

Artist: Kendra Haste

Wire Sculpture Wire Art Wire Animals

Artist: Candice Bees

Wire Sculpture Wire Art Wire Animals

Artist: Candice Bees

Wire Sculpture Wire Art Wire Animals

Artist: Celia Smith

Wire Sculpture Wire Art Wire Animals

Artist: Celia Smith

 

Figures

Wire Sculpture Wire Art Wire Figures

Artist: Gavin Worth

Wire Sculpture Wire Art Wire Figures

Artist: Gavin Worth

Wire Sculpture Wire Art Wire Figures

Artist: Gavin Worth

 

Objects

Wire Sculpture Wire Art Wire Objects

Artist: Martin Senn

Wire Sculpture Wire Art Wire Objects

Artist: Martin Senn

Wire Sculpture Wire Art Wire Objects

Artist: Martin Senn

Wire Sculpture Wire Art Wire Objects

Artist: David Moreno

Wire Sculpture Wire Art Wire Objects

Artist: David Moreno

Wire Sculpture Wire Art Wire Objects

Artist: David Moreno

No matter the motif, each contemporary sculpture depicts the endless possibilities of wire art.

Related Articles:

Art History: The Evolution of Hypnotic Kinetic Sculptures

Art History: What is Contemporary Art?

Art History: What is Line Art?

Kelly Richman-Abdou

Kelly Richman-Abdou is a Contributing Writer at My Modern Met. An art historian living in Paris, Kelly was born and raised in San Francisco and holds a BA in Art History from the University of San Francisco and an MA in Art and Museum Studies from Georgetown University. When she’s not writing, you can find Kelly wandering around Paris, whether she’s leading a tour (as a guide, she has been interviewed by BBC World News America and France 24) or simply taking a stroll with her husband and two tiny daughters.
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