David Aschenbrener

"Imagine what has never been. I turn ice into metal! My work is based on the metamorphosis of ice into bronze. Water is our life source. My work pays homage to this, giving thanks, reverence, and a cause for celebration."

Aschenbrener has been fascinated by ice formations since his childhood. Ice is water in its purist form. It constantly changes and evolves as we do. Ice forms found in nature inspire him and feed his imagination to recreate and rearrange. His intent is for viewers to awaken their sense of wonder and revel in the natural beauty found in nature: patterns, textures, color, and linear labyrinths.

Aschenbrener echoes ice forms by creating wax molds of them utilizing the lost wax process. Intricate pieces that will make up the sculpture's contents are carefully assembled. With special tools he "draws" on the waxes and uses "pointillism" as well to enhance the surface. This is done again in metal as welds are laid into it and carefully erased with an arsenal of air tools.

Aschenbrener cast his first sculpture in 1986. Soon after he received a BFA in Fine Arts with a concentration in sculpture. He went on to work in art foundries around the country and studied with masters for another fifteen years to perfect his craft. He then cofounded art galleries in Minneapolis: DeStilo followed by Instinct Art Gallery. He now lives and works in the country side of Wisconsin.