Dave Wertz
I seek to share the excitement and mystery of this life with the viewer through three-dimensional fine art. All of my work is hand fabricated using various combinations of forging and welding, techniques as ancient as they are modern and cutting edge. I employ a vast array of tools and equipment to achieve a diversity of expressions ranging from contemporary sleekness to the worn patinas of antiquity. The paints and finishes I use operate in much the same way, drawing inspiration from the full length and breadth of the spectrum. In the majority of my work I employ carbon steel, but on occasion I do add certain exotic metals. Lately, I have been swept up in the raw beauty of reclaimed metal. No matter which metal I use, I love the curve and seek it out in all of its glory and wonder. As my career evolves and shifts, I notice my appreciation for the fundamental curve of the female form, and replicate it in the abstract as well as the stylized and functional.
The Series
Upon reflection, certain trends and styles are apparent in my evolution as an artist. One of my strongest intuitive inclinations has been to work in “Series.” When I create a work using a new style, idea, or concept, I review and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of not only the finished piece but also the processes and skills that were needed to bring it to fruition. If find myself intrigued, I consider the known limits and possible expansions of them in regard to my present understanding and skill. If the potential appears to be strong enough that the emerging work will support itself aesthetically, and challenge me mentally and skill-wise, I embark upon another series. This is a process of allowance, of understanding just how far concepts can move, and of exploring the interrelationship between the physical manipulation of metal and the emergence of inspiration.
Musical
This series probes the relationship between the musician and the instrument — the place where the musician ceases to exist and becomes the music, the place where the music touches our souls.
Guitar Man – Fat Boy – Fat Boy Plays the Blues – Way Phat – & 8 more.
Abstract Wall Pieces
This series features painting with metal — the exploration of shape and texture against the construct of design. The series plays within the areas normally reserved for painters, and seeks to capture the feeling of color by using the third dimension.
Stranger in a Foreign Land – Low Latitude Heart Break – Streak of Infidelity – Sheet Metal Grin – & 22 more.
Architectural Work & Furniture
In this series, I stretch into the engineering field, moving the concept of art into the utilitarian arena of form and function. My brain both loves it and hates it. It is worth the headaches and sleepless nights to achieve this difficult mix and create a pleasing and workable idea that can be implemented and enjoyed.
Tango Table – Floating Table – Rosenoff Staircase – Harmond Staircase – & 37 more
Shoes
Not just any shoes — stilettos! The beauty and grace of stilettos are my small tribute to women. To see how much women love these shoes, and to watch their faces light up as they touch them, is worth all of the time and effort involved.
Ruby Red Slippers – Emerald Green Slippers – Rock’in Reds – Passion Purple – 8 more
Women
This series is my attempt to experience women as other women do and then to convey that experience through a medium that can be hard and cold yet can also move and bend. I am sure I have not even come close to the actual experience of women, but the attempt has changed my life. Seeing how women interact with this art touches my heart.
Coalition of Memories – Retreat to Incomprehensible self – Lola – Lightin’ – & 31 more
Crucifixions
This series is a parallel to my Women series, rendering female figures in some configuration of crucifixion. As with the Women series, I attempt to understand and communicate life from a woman’s perspective, but I reach further to offer to each and every woman the understanding that this world is not fair and that women carry more than their fair share of burden and pain as they walk through it.
Crucifixion 1 – 26
Free Standing Abstracts
This series offers the feeling of running free with no limits — rough, jagged, smooth, polished, and all things in between. This is the place where my soul smiles and my heart jumps and I can convey the excitement and wonder of life. In the process, I can relate to the viewer some of the mysteries of this world that cannot be framed by words.
Disinifity – Suffocation of Light – 12 Degrees Left and 47 Minutes – Flat Footing to Electric Music – & 35 more.
Lizards
Well, lizards are just fun. They also reflect the challenges of this craft. Lizards teach me so much about my material and technique — it is not easy to capture personality in a piece of steel. To achieve personality in lizard form is a treat for me and I enjoy seeing the amusement the lizards draw from the viewer.
Stormy – Joe Romeo – Sugar – Sneaky – & 15 more
Volume and Vessels
This series speaks to the wonder of curves. In my search for the perfect curve, I often seek out vessels. Crafting compound curves from steel challenges me technically and aesthetically. To bring a combination of curves together in a pleasing and comfortable shape is a great joy.
Port-Au-Prince 1982 – True Lies – Neurotic Embrace – Neck Bones & Rice – & 12 more
Horses
This is my first series incorporating repurposed steel. Using only posture to achieve personality is my challenge here. I am very excited to bring the colors and patinas of old and weathered steel to life in the figures of horses.
Tailgate – Sugar Magnolia – If Not for Me – Shotgun –Hurricane – Skittish – Chrome Wind – 12 more.
Gallery Representation
TEW Galleries
Atlanta, Georgia
Signature 9
Roanoke, Virginia
Trove Gallery
Park City, Utah
Organizations
Artisans Center of Virginia
Juried Certification: Professional Artisan Distinction
Tri-State Sculptors
Art Council of the Blue Ridge
League of Roanoke Artist
Southwest Virginia Metal Workers Guild
Washington Sculptor Group
Virginia Equine Artist Association
International Sculpture Center
The American Crafts Council
Public Commissions
Franklin County YMCA
Rocky Mount, Virginia
Hidden Valley Country Club
Roanoke, Virginia
Arlington County Department of Environmental Services
Office of Sustainability and Environmental Management
Arlington, Virginia
(This commission consisted of 80 individual unique sculptures)
Roanoke Rescue Mission
Roanoke, Virginia
Shows and Exhibits (Post Asia)
July 2010 Bath County Art Show
2nd Place Sculpture Division
Hot Springs, VA
September 2010 25th Sculpture Celebration
Judges Award
Lenoir, NC
November 2010
Art View Visions & Voices
Contemporary International Art Exhibition
Roanoke, VA
December 2010
Patton Philips Gallery
Solo Show
Roanoke, VA
December 2010
Red Wolf Gallery
Collaborative Show with Christine Kosiba
Brevard NC
March 2011
Dialogue Gallery
Marginal Art
Roanoke, VA
April 2011
Open Studio Tour
Solo Show
Roanoke, VA
May 2011
Love Your Mother Show
Sinkland Farms Artisan Center
New River Land Trust
Riner, VA
June 2011
Taubman Museum Art Show
Sculpture Division Award
Roanoke, VA
June 2011
Annapolis Art Show
Annapolis, MD
July 2011
Bath County Art Show
Sculpture Division Award
Hot Springs, VA
July 2011
Rockbridge Bath Art Show
1st Place Sculpture
Lexington, VA
August 2011
The La De Da Show
Solo Show
Roanoke, VA
August 2011
Loveland Invitational Sculpture Show
Loveland, CO
September 2011
Lenoir Sculpture Celebration
Lenoir, NC
September 2011
Art On The Lawn
Pearisburg, VA
November 2011
Ferrum College
Ferrum, VA
November 2011
Piedmont Craftsmen Show
Winston-Salem, NC
December 2011
Intersection Gallery
Winston-Salem, NC
February 2012
Gallery C
Raleigh, NC
March 2012
American Craft Council Show
Atlanta, GA
May 2012
Lynne Goldman Studio
Charlottesville, VA
September 2012
Tew Gallery
Atlanta, GA
December 2012
The Electric Company
Bedford, VA
January 2013
Art Works For Virginia
Richmond, VA
March 2013
Sculpture Now 2013
Washington, DC
April 2013
Open Studio Tour
Roanoke, VA
July 2013
Bath County Art Show
Sculpture Division Award
Warm Springs, VA
October 2013
Port Warwick Art & Sculpture Festival
Walt Whitman Sculpture Award
Port Warwick, VA
October 2013
New River Biennial 2013
Perspective Gallery
First Award of Distinction
Blacksburg, VA
February 2014
American Craft Council
Baltimore, MD
June 2014
Caldwell Arts Council
3 Person Show
Lenoir, NC
October 2014
Troika Gallery
Shown with Christine Kosiba
Floyd, VA
October 2014
TEW Galleries
Solo Show
Atlanta, GA
February 2015
Invision Commission
Christiansburg, VA
July 2015
Parker Commission
Roanoke, VA
August 2015
Gallery C
Raleigh, NC
September 2015
LRA Show Case
Roanoke, VA
October 2015
Dalton Commission
Altivista, VA
March 2016
Ferrum College Solo Show
Ferrum, VA
April 2016
Philadelphia Furniture Show
Philaselphia, PA
ametalsoul studio 