Christopher Gulick

Christopher Gulick

My primary focus is the visual kinetics of sculpture. It is my intention to bring to view the” negative space”. Open air always provides a blank canvas for movement of shape and color. Architectural lines and the motion of nature are primary inspiration for my work. My designs come from three basic mindsets: mechanical, organic, or a combination of the two. The design goal is building the piece to appear kinetic to the eye, even when the work is static.

Works are typically suspended, but some are also wall mounted and free standing. I work on site-specific commissions as well as my own studio projects. Sizes vary from one foot in diameter (air space displacement) to 15 feet or more for a single piece.

Materials range from bronze, brass, aluminum, rolled steel or stainless steel rod for the “armatures”. Materials for “ballast” (or positive space) vary from sheet metal to acrylic to found material objects.

Kinetic Mobile sculptures are like a companion. They occupy space similar to a friend. They converse with us at a deep, inner level. They always influence feelings of calm, ambient wonder. During the design process of mobiles, I draw from several sources. In private studio time I am influenced by modern architecture, the organic lines of nature and artists such as Calder, Lloyd-Wright, Miro and Kandinsky. A commission dictates focusing on the client. I draw on the surroundings of the site, the overall design of the architecture, favorite colors and shapes of the client. I make efforts to enhance the airspace without competing with the surroundings. The common denominator in all my sculpture is the following mindset; to focus design on the "armature" portion of the piece, thus bringing into view, the “negative space”. Twists and turns draw your eye into kinetic movement even when the piece is static. The intertwining motion hides the "points-of-contact" of the armatures. The "ballast" parts are a color and shape enhancement, as opposed to being the chief focus as one would see in most mobiles or hanging sculpture.