Letters, words, thoughts make up the form of this bronze sculpture by Dale Dunning. Cast from a collection of letters, this sculpture has taken on a natural green patina called verdigris. The piece with its base may be displayed outdoor or indoors. Total sculpture with base measure 84 x 18 x 31 in. Bronze head measures 27 x 26 x 17 in.

Dale Dunning (b. Ottawa, ON) holds a Master of Fine Arts Degree from Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. While earning his Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from Mt. Allison University, NB, he studied under Lawren P. Harris. This academic training is reflected in Dunning’s approach to his work. Early on, he decided to focus on the human head and the mask.

Inspired by the Gothic and Classical periods of “Grotesque” art, his work often reflects a romantic sensibility. His sculptures may recall the Gothic literature of Mary Shelley or historical novels of Alexandre Dumas.

Dunning explores a variety of materials – bronze and aluminum casting, welded screws and wrenches, typeset, cable – all in the interest of creating the form.

In 2012, Dunning’s work was chosen to illustrate an entire volume of Dacritics, a journal of linguistic criticism published by Johns Hopkins University Press. Dunning has exhibited across Canada and his work is held in private, corporate and public collections including the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, Robert McLaughlin Gallery, McIntosh Gallery at Western University, Carleton University Art Collection, and the National Library of Canada.