| In creating the intricate, mystical stone
carvings for which he’s become known, from tabletop pieces to works
that stand over six feet tall, Paul Braun draws inspiration from
ancient constructions. After graduating from the Cleveland Institute
of Art in the late 1980s Braun had the opportunity to use a
traveling scholarship to study, in detail, the megalithic structures
in Ireland, England, and other European countries. Stonehenge, New
Grange, and Knowth were among the mysterious stone formations that
had a dramatic influence on his work.
Whether working in steatite alone or a set of
contrasting stones such as black soapstone and limestone, Braun
seeks to allow the natural beauty of the stone to reveal itself
while he explores the balance between natural, polished and textured
surfaces. "I feel that sculpture is about creating form in which the
artist exhibits control, balance and mystery,” Braun says. “I enjoy
working in the abstract because it allows me the freedom to explore
the material - it offers the opportunity to highlight the natural
beauty of the stone in unique ways.” |