Super Shield No. 2: Camouflage Sculpture by Rachelle Gardner-Roe

Sculpture: Metal, Plastic, Resin on Plastic, Other.

Media: PLA filament (for 3D printing pen), resin, brass, patina

Part of a non-traditional exploration of lace in the exhibition, A Certain Kind of Armor. Using 3D printing pens to preserve the core acts of drawing and writing, Gardner-Roe references shield and body forms that allude to systems of protection through layers of metal and patinas, yet deny a literal translation. The open lacelike network of this body of sculpture begs the question, “What is being protected?”

The round shape of this work references shields, but so big in this case that the whole body could hide behind. Regarding the theme of protection, I often think about how to protect that childlike sense of exuberance when we first picked up a crayon, especially as a working artist. Thus, the imagery in this work references childhood memories of growing up in the rural Midwest.

Lastly, I am often asked how these pieces are made. It is a layered process that starts out with a 3D printing pen (imagine a hand-held 3D printer, controlled by the artist's hand rather than a computer). After the initial "drawing" is made on glass, I then thicken my line weights with resin and lastly, the work is coated in metal, brass in this case. Since real metal is applied, making it essentially plated, I can then patina the work like traditional sculpture. Thus, the colors seen are either the brass itself or a chemical reaction with the brass.

This work is mounted on 3/4" white PCV panel with a 3/4" beveled edge. The metal has been sealed to prevent further oxidation and changes in color.