Wiley D. Jenkins - Bronze

"I have always been drawn to sculpture, both metal and stone. I appreciate the sheer physicality of the medium in terms of its execution and permanence. For me, the technical aspects of translating a clay or wax image into bronze are as fulfilling as creating the original form. There is something about the power that must be harnessed and applied to melt the bronze, pour the mold, and smooth and finish the form that provides considerable visceral appeal and satisfaction. Especially as this application of heat and power results in an object of grace and simplicity. Given this level of physical intimacy with my work, I design them with an expectation that they be touched, lifted and turned. The participant’s physical interaction with the work, experiencing its heft, shades and coloration, and center of gravity, thus complements the initial visual inspection. "

​Wiley D. Jenkins was born in Albany, NY in 1968 and currently resides in Sherman, IL. He is husband to Heather, father to David and Michael, and general household ‘fixer’ and sports coach. Professionally, he is an associate professor of family medicine and spends considerable time as a cancer and infectious disease epidemiologist. This study of how cancer and disease occur in human populations, while considering causes and risks, complements his underlying desire to know how things work and how they might be modified.
 
Wiley’s introduction to bronze sculpting came out due to sheer appreciation for the form. As someone who enjoys learning new things, and learning through experience, in the fall of 2014 he decided to investigate how bronze sculpting was executed. All initial instruction came from two books (Olivier Duhamel’s Bronze Casting Manual and Tuck Langland’s From Clay to Bronze: A Studio Guide to Figurative Sculpture), and he was able to cast his first two pieces in December 2014. Since then, his home foundry and workshop have taken over ½ of the family garage, leaving his car to the mercy of the elements. He has also been grateful to receive critical guidance and critique from the director of the SAA Collective, and continues to push the limits of his skills and abilities.