Munson Hunt MRSS

My sculpture begins in wood that has been discarded by the city I live in, there is a focus on death and rebirth that comes with this practice. I’m interested in what the tree lived through, the territory, the people, the earth’s climate. Like a historian, pieces come together, comparisons are made with what is happening now and what was happening then; politically, environmentally, socially.

The surface is important to me, whether it is charred to an alligator texture, bleached like bone, covered in graphite or beeswax. The surface is very important, be it rough or smooth, black or white.

Some sculptures are not finished until they are cast in a permanent material; such as glass, cement, bronze, aluminum and stainless steel. This process of vitrification petrifies the wood, leaves the texture and feel of wood but transformed in an alchemical change. This is a need from me to hold on to wood, keep it from decay, keep it from changing. At this point in casting size can be increased to larger than the tree was, here monumental scale is at play in relationship to the viewer and the environment of the installation.

Though I use wood I am not a wood worker. I do not control wood, I like the decay and bug eaten surfaces. I feel the life of the tree continues after it is cut, the living breath of the tree somehow continues, carrying all the life it lived with it. Casting is a continuation of this as well for me, for then it is impenetrable to decay.