Barbara Woodruff Serota is a Texas artist who graduated from U.T. - Austin in 1977 with a B.F.A. in studio art. She and her husband, Alan Serota, met at U.T. in the ceramics department and have since then journeyed together in pursuit of a creative life grounded in the arts. Primarily working in porcelain, they have been potters during these years and have established a studio on 10 pristine acres in the hill country outside Austin. Barbara's work is informed by this long experience living close to the earth and consciously immersed in Nature.
"Demeter" is a large bronze sculpture that Barbara created. In her own words, "This sculpture represents for me the essence of Mother Earth, the Divine Feminine. Within this piece lies the source and inspiration that guides me...it is imbued with reverence for all creation. Akin to a mother's love, she holds a mysterious presence that I can find no words for. She was born of my hands, but she has a spirit of her own."
Barbara made the original "Demeter" by carving and chiseling the form from a solid piece of wood. From that original this bronze sculpture was created using the lost wax process, which is a very complex collaborative effort between the artist and many artisans working in concert. ("Demeter" was cast by the very talented people of Deep in the Heart Art Foundry in Bastrop. See attachment for an in-depth description of the lost wax process.)
The patina that you see on Demeter is a very deliberately rich and mottled color and texture not often seen on other bronze sculptures. There is a deep and ancient canyon on Barbara and Alan's land, where she has spent much time. Barbara wanted the patina on Demeter to be reminiscent of the lichen, moss, and minerals that quietly grow on the rocks and trees of this profoundly beautiful place. Another unique aspect of this sculpture is that the entire piece rotates, in keeping with the flowing and circular energy within it.
A Brief Explanation of the Lost Wax Process:
THE RUBBER MOLD: A flexible rubber mold is made on the artist's original sculpture. This modern material is able to capture every detail and remain flexible.
THE WAX CASTING: Molten wax is then poured into the rubber mold, producing a faithful casting of the original sculpture.
WAX CHASING: The rubber is pulled back to reveal the wax form within. When the wax casting is removed from the rubber mold, an artisan hand finishes it to perfectly match the original sculpture.
GATING: Wax rods called gates are applied to the wax casting to allow the wax to be removed and funnels called sprues are attached to receive the molten bronze.
INVESTING: The wax casting is coated with several layers of a liquid refractory ceramic, creating a stable mold, which is allowed to cure for several days.
BURN OUT: The ceramic mold is fired in a kiln, which bakes the ceramic and burns out the wax, leaving a cavity in its place. (Thus the term, Lost Wax)
CASTING: The ceramic mold is then filled with molten bronze at a temperature of 2000 degrees Fahrenheit. (Bronze is an alloy of copper and zinc.)
BREAKOUT: After the bronze has cooled, the ceramic mold is carefully broken away, revealing the sculpture within.
SAND BLASTING: Fine sand particles are blasted under air pressure to remove the last traces of the ceramic that adhere to the bronze.
CHASING: The raw bronze casting is then given to another artisan who cuts away the gates and sprues, welds the pieces together, and then grinds and blends these areas, attending to all the details that will then render the original textures, form and movement of the sculpture.
PATINATION: The bronze sculpture is now cleaned and prepared for the patination. The final finish, or patina, is created by heating the sculpture to red heat and skillfully applying various chemicals and oxides to achieve the artist's vision of color and texture. As the piece is cooling a wax is applied to the entire surface, thus fixing the color and preventing any further oxidation. Once cool, the sculpture is then polished revealing the rich colors and textures of the bronze.
Caring for bronze sculpture and its patina:
The patina is a chemical change of color on the surface of a bronze sculpture. It is not a paint, enamel, or laquer. Year after year as metal expands and contracts with the varying temperatures of the seasons, so will the patina. (By contrast, paint, enamel, or laquer will tend to crack and peel under those same conditions.)
The patina lives on the surface of the metal. The natural color of bronze is this golden hue, which emanates a lightness of being. Maintaining the beauty of a good patina is simple. Wax is used to neutalize the process of oxidation and protect the finish.
A neutral colored paste wax, shoe wax or tree wax should be applied periodically. Apply wax with a soft cotton cloth and wait 15 minutes, then gently buff the sculpture with a clean cotton cloth. Don't over apply the wax or get carried away with the buffing. This can be done every 6 months and otherwise just dust it with a clean cloth or feather duster. Do not use any sort of polishing compound or household cleaners. They may dissolve the wax, introduce chemicals or destroy the surface of the sculpture.
With simple care this bronze sculpture will endure long into the future and will be passed down through many generations.
