Altimira
© 1985, Michael O'Rourke

Hydrocal, paint, aluminum. 30" long.

The wall-hung sculptures in this series were inspired by the neolithic cave paintings of southern France and northern Spain. I was attempting to capture the fluidity of naturally formed rock, simultaneously with an obvious human presence. I was also trying to create the tonal subtleties one finds in aging color.

Each piece was modeled in extremely wet clay, then cast into Hydrocal, a cement-like plaster. This was painted, and the paint then wiped off - more in some areas, less in others. A curve of aluminum rod was inserted into the structure.