M.L. SNOWDEN SCULPTURE
THE HYDROSPHERE

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The Valentin Sea Fan together with the Cambrian Sea Fan and the Devonian 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 Valentin Sea Fan, with its swim-like posture, seems to be striving towards the surface from the depths, bringing with it the nutrients needed to fuel the explosion of diversity that suddenly appeared in the earth’s early seas and that has marked the fossil record for all time. The coral formations that grace Valentin Sea Fan seem as an ornate headdress and are particularly delicate.

 

The use of countless molds to create the laced details and intricate festoons of Valentin Sea Fan speaks of Snowden’s sheer technical mastery of the art of bronze casting. While the Valentin Sea Fan is considered a limited edition, in actuality it, as are all other Sea Fans in the collection, is uniquely hand worked by M.L. Snowden herself through each stage of its casting so that every finished bronze bears the artistic hallmark of an original. The Valentin Sea Fan is, yet another, 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 Valentin Sea Fan was conceived by Snowden to be displayed in close proximity to the Cambrian and Devonian 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 Valentin Sea Fan, the main coral structure is exceptionally delicate and in direct contrast with the more ridged and compact formation directly above the head of the figure. As in the other components of this skein of sea fans, Valentin Sea Fancelebrates an era of 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 Valentin Sea Fan, the luminous platinum Fournier Patina and the touch of the historic Rodin tools that were used to shape Valentin’s lively features.

 

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