Matzke Fine Art and Design

Lloyd Whannell

I have been working in stone for about 30 years. My current figurative work involves two tall figure series called “Silent Watchers” and “Silent Words”. Both draw inspiration from a 3rd century B.C. Etruscan bronze figurine called “Ombra della Sera” or Shadow of the Evening.

These tall, thin figure series are an expression of the feelings of serenity and peacefulness. They reflect an inner silence while maintaining a presence of outward awareness. Although the intent is toward a feminine figure, the bald heads on some of the series are meant to lend a certain mystery and androgynous possibility for the viewer. There have been a number of stone only sculptures in the “Silent Watcher” series as well as my newest approach of using a combination of unique, one of a kind stone bodies with cast glass, and limited edition bronze heads.

This combination of stone and cast glass or bronze also continues in the “Silent Words” series. Each piece lays the groundwork for the next variation of the series.