Dick Kappel's artistic vision at work on the piece Alter Ego.

Every time I work with a piece of metal, there is a sense of creation as a new shape begins to emerge. I am constantly mystified by the beauty of metal reforming before my eyes. Therefore, my approach to a sculpture always begins with the metal itself, and I let the form evolve as I work, shaping the metal to conform to a rough idea I have in my head or have sketched on paper.

To get started, I cut pieces from a flat sheet of steel or copper that determine the size and general structure of my piece. As I twist and heat the metal, my rough idea begins to take form, making each finished sculpture unique, essentially a product of the moment.

I try to create sculptures that play on the basic nature and ruggedness of the metals I use. The surfaces are usually uneven in texture and carry various shades of color which appear as I apply different temperatures of heat. This first part of construction usually comes easily, but the little details require much thought and observation. The tilt of a hand or the placement of the head can change the character of a sculpture, often adding a humorous or sinister touch. This attention to detail takes a long time, but I believe it’s necessary to insure that each sculpture expresses just the right emotion.

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