“For me, the complexities and challenges of materials and techniques mirror the complexities fundamental to being human.” —Karen LaMonte

In Nocturne 2, Karen LaMonte transfigures rigid white bronze into the soft drapery of an evening gown. She achieves this feat through an intricate casting process that involves several stages of modeling and molding before the molten metal can even be poured. LaMonte thinks carefully about each step from start to finish, saying “the goal is sort of alchemy: turn ordinary stuff into extraordinary stuff.”

Written by Audrey Hong, Havner Curatorial Intern, MA/PhD Student, University of Maryland