“The Disc” by David Mudgett

The Disc by David Mudgett
The Disc

David Mudgett applied his skill as a pipefitter to create Best of Show “The Disc”. This sculpture grew out of a series of pieces where David explored the heating, bending, and combing of the pieces. The hollow disc itself was made to appear solid with the installation of very thick sleeves where the pipe passes through. The sleeves were welded in, ground flush, and then scarfed to fool the viewer.

According to David, “The pipe that runs continuously through the disk was inspired by a childhood introduction to the Mobius strip. I remember my dad cutting, twisting and taping the strip for me to examine.”

The sponsor of David’s “Disc” is Papa’s Pizza Cafe and can be viewed at the northeast corner of Cloverdale Blvd. and First Street.

Artist Statement

I’ve been building things my whole life.  Always encouraged to repair rather than replace, I became mechanically inclined at a young age.  Born with an allergy to text and a youth filled with the great outdoors, I have always gravitated towards shape, sound and movement.

I was first drawn to metal by my grandfather, the pipe-fitter.  Intrigued by his metal finesse, and surrounded by his many projects, I was lured in.  Staring at the fire, and witnessing the magic as the molten metal danced around him has indelibly burnt itself into me.

Following in his footsteps, I was fortunate to serve my apprenticeship in a large pipe fabrication shop and spent years as a pipe-fitter.  The ease at which large pieces of metal could be formed into limitless objects fascinated me, and the metal soon became an affliction.  These years of metal fabrication gave me a firm grasp of steel.  I unfortunately found the conventional uses littered with boundaries.

Urged to apply my metalworking skills to art, I produced my first sculpture.  This new found form of expression was exhilarating.  I had stumbled onto the creative freedom that I was searching for.  Having now spent the better part of my life working with steel, I am incurably hooked.  Its strength and versatility afford me the liberty to take a piece in almost any direction. David Mudgett

Sponsor: Papa’s Pizza Café
Photo by Jude Gibson
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