M.L. SNOWDEN SCULPTURE
THE HYDROSPHERE

​

The Devonian Sea Fan together with the Cambrian Sea Fan and the Valentin Sea Fan, compose a skein of aquatic sea fans that evoke geologic time periods. These works, along with The Sea Creates and Pacific Seawall together with the niveal exploration of Glacier, vivify and celebrate the earth’s ever evolving aquatic sphere. As with all of M.L. Snowden’s bronzes, the geological focus of each particular epoch of Snowden’s sculptural program forms a stepping stone to a much larger context of personal, spiritual and universal meaning communicated by the work. The GEOLOGICAL COREIUM is just that - an invitation to personally explore the richness of creation through the timeless art of bronze.

​

 

The Devonian Sea Fan, with outstretched arms, as-if in welcome, is the quintessential express of the Devonian Period when corals were more prolific than ever before or since - that relatively short period of time when aquatic life experienced dramatic diversity, a time known as the “Age of Fishes”. Note the delicate corals and dramatic star fish, representative of the abundance being nurtured by the seas of the period.

 

Composed of countless miniature mold systems, the laced details and intricate festoons of Devonian Sea Fan speak of Snowden’s sheer technical mastery of the art of bronze casting. While the Devonian Sea Fan is termed a limited edition, in actuality, each Sea Fan is uniquely hand worked by Snowden through each stage of the casting so that every bronze bears the artistic hallmark of an original. The Devonian Sea Fan is a tour de force of positive energy and aquatic detail made possible through exquisite working protocols and special foundry waxes invented by M.L. Snowden.

 

The Devonian Sea Fan was conceived by Snowden to be displayed in close proximity to the Cambrian and Valentin Sea Fans as a group on varied pedestals so that their central upper coral formations form a screen. The character of the dramatic upper coral crown is unique to each of the Sea Fan designs - in the Devonian Sea Fan, although its coral is not as large conceptually as that of the Cambrian Sea Fan, it is none-the-less a celebration of that foundational time that gave rise to Earth’s bio-diversity.

 

From important roots in the Paris studios of Auguste Rodin and Antonin Mercié, Snowden brings to the Devonian Sea Fan, the luminous platinum Fournier Patina and the touch of the historic Rodin tools that were used to shape Devonian’s lively features.

 

Ultimately for the sculptor, the Devonian Sea Fan glows with a deep sense of triumph - and an inner hope of glory for earthly and spiritual planes. For the sculptor, the Devonian Sea Fan is a central song of celebration.