Suzie Harrison
Last Sunday late in the afternoon, Community Art Project offered
art lovers the opportunity to get to know Laguna sculptor James Koch
better, offering an open door to see the artist's home, studio and
sculpture gardens.
Koch is a found-object sculptor whose pieces are primarily made of
metal and range in various sizes from small statuettes to have
inside, to 6-foot art for the garden or yard.
He primarily uses metal with some cement and rocks and his
favorite surface is rust.
Koch also gave a demonstration of how he creates his work and
talked among the guests about his roots, his technique and
inspiration.
"I am an art welder and a blacksmith," Koch said. "My vice is
doing it in the backyard -- I'm prolific and do it all day and I love
to weld at night. It's like a Frankenstein laboratory.
There were a lot of abstract social commentaries as well as
religious symbols and a mix ranging the spectrum.
"I love springs, screws, bolts and nuts," Koch said. "Scribble is
an homage to Dr. Seuss -- he was a great influence."
"A lot of my work has religious undertones," Koch said.
The sacred heart of Jesus, crucifixes were a part of his work
collection.
A crowd of about 40 to 50 people watched the artist and mingled as
they enjoyed wine, hors d'oeuvres and a plethora of art to feast
upon.
His house was built in 1927 and is full of charm and accents.
He is a Sawdust exhibitor and won first place at the festival for
his creativity.
Information: 494-3780.
