Each of Deborah Butterfield’s sculptures undergoes a complex material process.

She begins by covering sticks with a ceramic material, capturing fine details in the wood surface before burning it away, leaving a ceramic mold. Next, the inside of this mold is covered with a layer of wax and submerged in plaster. When the plaster sets, Butterfield fires it to melt away the wax, and pours in molten bronze. After cooling the cast she breaks away the mold, revealing the bronze copy. These copies are finally assembled to create the form of sculpture.