Items Similar to Copper Clad Wall Sculpture by Noted Palm Springs Artist Bill Anson
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 21
Copper Clad Wall Sculpture by Noted Palm Springs Artist Bill Anson
About the Item
We were fortunate to acquire a few pieces of the late noted Palm Springs artist Bill Anson. He was a former NASA engineer who turned to art later in life. This unsigned work is in his signature style, copper fish scale shaped pieces hand hammered onto a carved wood form. A similar work is still pictured on his website. The sculpture has been outside and has weathered beautifully developing a marvelous patina to the copper.
The sculpture is in good condition with nice patina. There are a few nails missing, a couple of loose plates and commensurate wear and marks from outdoor exposure.
An Obituary follows from the Magazine Palm Springs Life:
Bill Anson
1933-2018
Palm Springs Artist Finds His Calling Later in Life
Former NASA engineer uses Bauhaus style that marries form and function
MARCIA GAWECKI
NOVEMBER 5, 2013
Some of his Bauhaus-style sculptures stand erect, like Chicago skyscrapers, while others appear more erotic like reclining nudes.
The series of four that he’s currently working on look more like creatures from the deep.
NASA engineer-turned sculptor Bill Anson owns a 2,000 square-foot gallery that bears his name in the Backstreet Art District, which hosts its “First Wednesdays” Art Walk Nov. 6 in Palm Springs.
“When I decided to become a full-time artist at age 55, my wife divorced me, and my kids stopped talking to me,” says Anson, now 79. “But you’re really not an artist if you only work on weekends.”
Anson has co-owned other galleries over the past 18 years, namely the Jake Dent Gallery, Art First in the desert, and the River Bend Gallery in Northern California.
Architectural Inspirations
He began taking classes in ceramics and eventually moved to wood and steel. Over the past 25 years, he’s amassed an impressive body of work with a Bauhaus style that marries form and function but is void of ornamentation.
“When you look at Bill’s stuff, you see Bauhaus,” says Francisco Vargas, who owns the gallery next door.
During World War II, Bauhaus artists like Mies van der Rohe moved to Chicago, where Anson grew up. However, he considers Los Angeles architect Frank Gehry as his biggest inspiration.
“Gehry designs buildings like Disney Concert Hall (in Los Angeles) intuitively like an artist would,” he says of Gehry, who is best known for the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in Spain.
Copper Fish Scales
Anson works primarily with cedar plywood to saw, glue and shape a sculpture. Then he covers it completely with small copper sheets secured with silicon-bronze nails.
Anson first saw this “fish scale” application at another artist’s gallery in San Francisco. But it may harken back to the 12 years he spent working as a mechanical engineer for NASA subcontractors Lockheed Martin and General Electric. Anson remembers being asked to inspect a rocket capsule that was housed in a building the size of the Astrodome.
“I wasn’t looking forward to climbing 40 stories up, but first I had to pass an eye test,” Anson says. “That’s when I found out that I was colorblind.”
By nailing down copper plates, Anson realized that he could create large-scale wooden sculptures that look like metal, without all the labor and costs of pouring and casting.
Anson always delivers his sculptures locally because he likes seeing where they end up.
“There was one sculpture that I hated, but one guy bought it,” says Anson. “He had a special spot in his backyard that was surrounded by vines on three sides, and when I saw it there, I loved it!”
- Creator:Bill Anson (Artist)
- Dimensions:Height: 25.5 in (64.77 cm)Width: 49.5 in (125.73 cm)Depth: 3.25 in (8.26 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:20th Century
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Minor wear to plates and wood and patina to copper plates.
- Seller Location:Palm Springs, CA
- Reference Number:Seller: Bridges over Time BA128871stDibs: LU835042270822
About the Seller
5.0
Gold Seller
Premium sellers maintaining a 4.3+ rating and 24-hour response times
1stDibs seller since 2007
412 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: <1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Palm Springs, CA
- Return Policy
Authenticity Guarantee
In the unlikely event there’s an issue with an item’s authenticity, contact us within 1 year for a full refund. DetailsMoney-Back Guarantee
If your item is not as described, is damaged in transit, or does not arrive, contact us within 7 days for a full refund. Details24-Hour Cancellation
You have a 24-hour grace period in which to reconsider your purchase, with no questions asked.Vetted Professional Sellers
Our world-class sellers must adhere to strict standards for service and quality, maintaining the integrity of our listings.Price-Match Guarantee
If you find that a seller listed the same item for a lower price elsewhere, we’ll match it.Trusted Global Delivery
Our best-in-class carrier network provides specialized shipping options worldwide, including custom delivery.More From This Seller
View AllNude torso Sculpture by Noted Palm Springs Artist Anwar Fonseca
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A wonderful sculpture by the noted Palm Spring Artist Anwar Fonseca. It is fashioned out of 600 individual nuts that have been meticulously welded together. he artist has a model cas...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Wall-mounted Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Bill Anson Copper Clad Scaled Female Nude Figure
By Bill Anson
Located in Palm Springs, CA
We were fortunate to acquire a few pieces of the late noted Palm Springs artist Bill Anson. He was a former NASA engineer who turned to art later in life. This unsigned work is in hi...
Category
20th Century American Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Copper
Abstract by Noted Palm Springs Artist Gary Janis
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Our gallery is proud to represent Gary Janis a noted local artist.
This work is unframed on canvas. It is signed and dated on the back. It is vibrant and beautifully represents Mr. ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Paintings
Materials
Paint
“Desert Owl” Abstract Sculpture by noted Palm Spring Artist Anwar Fonseca
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A wonderful abstract sculpture by the noted Palm Springs artist Anwar Fonseca. Mr Fonseca’s art has been featured regionally and this evocative work is titled “Desert Owl.” It is la...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Iron
@023 Abstract by Noted Palm Springs Artist Gary Janis
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Our gallery is proud to represent Gary Janis a noted local artist.
This work is unframed on canvas. It is signed and dated on the back. The painting measures 36 x 48 inches. It is v...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Paintings
Materials
Paint
Large Painting by Noted Palm Springs Artist Shawn Savage
By Shawn Savage
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A wonderful painting by the noted Palm Springs Artist Shawn Savage who sadly passed away suddenly a few months ago. We managed to acquire a few works of his that he had displayed in ...
Category
2010s American Paintings
Materials
Paint
You May Also Like
Copper Wall-Mounted Sculpture
Located in Antwerp, BE
Vintage 1960s, German modern copper relief.
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Wall-mounted Sculptures
Materials
Copper
Three Bronze Clad Bamboo Relief Wall Panel Sculptures
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Three Bronze Clad Bamboo Relief Wall Panel Sculptures
Late 20th century
A set of three stunning bronze-clad bamboo relief wall panel sculptures dating from the late 20th century. E...
Category
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Wall-mounted Sculptures
Materials
Fiberglass
$1,920 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Brutalist Style Wall Sculpture in Copper
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Brutalist style wall sculpture in copper with a black blacp painted metal backing, excellent condition, little to no wear.
Measures: 36” high x 13 1/4” wide x 2.5” deep.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Wall-mounted Sculptures
Materials
Metal, Copper
Pair of Metal Palm Leaf Wall Sculptures
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
These large palm leaf wall sculptures bring the tropics into the space.
There are three strong hooks for securely hanging them on the wall.
Category
1990s American Modern Wall-mounted Sculptures
Materials
Metal
$1,000 / set
Daniel Dhaeseleer Palm Tree Wall Light Sculpture
By Daniel Dhaeseleer
Located in London, GB
Daniel Dhaeseleer Palm tree wall sculpture, with light fitting, Signed on the base of palm trunk .
Beautiful solid brass wall sculpture by Be...
Category
Vintage 1970s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Brass
Metal Wall Sculpture Cat Copper & Brass
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Fulton, CA
Brass and copper wall sculpture in the style of Jere. Jeweled eyes. Measures 13.25 inches tall. Very good original condition.
Category
Mid-20th Century Brutalist Wall-mounted Sculptures
Materials
Brass, Copper
$195 Sale Price
44% Off