Boodle

Steel
74 × 45 × 45 inches
600 lbs.

The inspiration for Boodle came from the most unlikely place- a fabrication shop trash bin.

While visiting the shop, I noticed hundreds of small steel cutoffs that had been discarded during the manufacturing process. Most people would have seen scrap destined for recycling. What immediately caught my attention was the incredible texture created by the accumulation of these simple shapes. I asked if I could gather them up, knowing they deserved a second life.

The title Boodle, meaning a collection or grouping, perfectly describes both the material and the idea behind the sculpture.

Using more than 6,000 of these individually formed steel pieces, I created a sphere whose character changes as the viewer approaches it. From a distance, it reads as a simple geometric form. Up close, it reveals an intricate surface of overlapping elements, each contributing equally to the whole. As light moves across the sculpture, the texture comes alive, producing constantly changing patterns of light and shadow.

What began as discarded material became a celebration of repetition, craftsmanship, and the beauty that can emerge when ordinary elements are brought together with intention.

A Personal Note

I've always believed that inspiration is often found where others aren't looking. When I first saw these discarded steel pieces, I didn't see scrap- I saw possibility. Boodle reminds me that beauty isn't always created by adding more. Sometimes it's simply recognizing the potential in what already exists.