Mark Zirinsky

A lifelong gem cutter, I began working with aluminum about 12 years ago, developing my own design, cutting and machining techniques. Inspired by natural form, I start with an abstract idea, develop this into a design, and then make the piece using a milling machine, machine engraving and hand carving for the final form. I usually engrave many lines to produce surface iridescence and reflections. A piece takes about 25 -180 hours each, about 80% machine time and 20% hand and design time. As I work with bare metal, I limit my artistic tools to only design, form and reflection, forcing my work into a simple yet imaginative style. Many perceive this as natural, organic, free flowing; to quote one 94-year-old observer, Òmaking the metal come alive as I have waited all my life to see.Ó My artistic goal is to stimulate interest and geometrical understanding through viewing of my work; I measure artistic success in the moments or years a viewer spends with one of my pieces.