FAQ Page

How long has he been a professional sculptor?

He has been a professional sculptor for twenty-five years.

How long has he worked with acrylic

Twenty-two years. Since 1985.

Where does he get his ideas for his work?



Why does Wilkinson sculpt only nude, idealized figures?
		He believes the ideal nude is unsurpassed in beauty and expression and sees it as an outward manifestation of an ideal inner being. Also, unlike figures which are dressed in period clothing of a given culture, and therefore fixed in time and place, the nude is timeless and universal; making it perfect for portraying ideas that are fundamental to the human experience. Occasionally, he will cloak a figure with a simple garment that is so sheer the "nude" is enhanced.

Hot liquid wax is poured into a mold made from the original sculpture. As the wax cools, a "skin" of solidified wax forms on the inner surface of the mold that has all the detail of the original sculpture. When this "skin" is about ¼" thick, the remaining liquid wax is poured out of the mold. When the wax "skin" in the mold has cooled and solidified completely, the mold is opened and this hollow wax replica of the original sculpture is removed. It is then dipped into a wet ceramic slurry (somewhat like wet plaster of Paris) where a thin layer adheres to the surface of the wax. This is allowed to dry. This process of dipping and drying is repeated until the thickness of ceramic material is sufficiently thick. Now there is a very hard ceramic covering over the wax replica. This is the ceramic shell mold. It is placed into a furnace where the wax replica melts out of the ceramic shell mold through openings at the bottom. Then the void in the ceramic shell mold, where the wax left an impression of the sculpture, is filled with molten bronze (approximately 2000º F). The molten bronze cools and solidifies and is removed from the ceramic shell mold. It is then "chased" with steel chisels, files and sandpaper until it is a faithful rendition in bronze of the original clay sculpture. Chemicals are then applied to the sculpture surface that create the final color patina.

The technical term for acrylic is methylmethacrylate. It is the same material that is used to make eyeglass lenses, which is clearer and weighs less than glass.
An acrylic sculpture is cast by pouring liquid acrylic into a mold of the original artwork, where it sets to a stiff gelatin-like consistency. It is then placed into an autoclave and cured under heat and pressure. This step in the casting process gives acrylic its clarity and hardness. The cast sculpture is then removed from the mold and hand finished, using files, grinders and sandpaper. The clear smooth surfaces are polished with jeweler's rouge and buffing wheels. Additional effects are added, such as blasting the surface with glass powder to create the frosted look on the human figures.

In many ways working in both media is the same, however there are some differences. The most striking difference is the challenge of using an opaque modeling material, such as clay or plaster, to create an acrylic sculpture, which is clear. Because the modeling material is opaque, the artist must imagine how reflections and the relationships between the interior and exterior images will appear in the final work. The photographs below show the acrylic sculpture and the plaster model of Futurity.

Acrylic is very tough. It resists abrasion and scratches, but if an acrylic sculpture is damaged, like bronze, it usually can be repaired.

If an acrylic sculpture gets dirt or fingerprints on the polished areas, it can be wiped with a clean, white flannel cloth. If the frosted area gets dirt or fingerprints, do the following:

While wearing rubber or plastic gloves, place the sculpture in a sink or shower. Gently wash the sculpture with a 50% solution of Ivory brand dish soap (not dishwasher soap) and water. Use a clean, white flannel cloth to lather the entire sculpture, giving extra attention to areas that are dirtiest. Rinse with lukewarm running water. Let it air dry or gently blow dry with a hair dryer on cool setting. If you live in an area with high mineral content in the drinking water, distilled water is recommended for washing and rinsing.

Your acrylic sculpture should never be cleaned in any other manner.

If you have questions about this procedure or require additional advice, contact the Wilkinson Sculpture Studio.

Why should I purchase a Wilkinson Acrylic Sculpture only from an Authorized Gallery?

Galleries authorized to exhibit and sell The Michael Wilkinson Collection often have websites where they advertise his work. However, not all internet galleries advertising Wilkinson's art are authorized galleries. When dealing with an unauthorized source, collectors run the risk of getting damaged or, because of a rash of thefts, stolen work. Visit the Los Angeles Police Department link for a story about thefts of Wilkinson sculpture: L.A.P.D.

Only authorized galleries receive the work directly from the artist. When work is purchased from an authorized gallery, it is guaranteed to be delivered to the collector in pristine condition or it will be replaced. There are instances of work purchased in "as is condition" from the internet, where the buyer was very disappointed and without remedy.

How do I get on a mailing list for gallery shows in my area and news about new work?

Contact the Wilkinson Sculpture Studio to be sent updates on gallery receptions, exhibitions and releases of new work. Also, you can periodically check the What's New section of this web site.

He develops themes by writing and sketching. In his thinking on a given issue, he looks for new and interesting ways of depicting ideas; sometimes using a metaphor, as in Moonscape 1: Terra Luna, or an evocative image, as in Lightfall.
Moonscape I: Terra Luna	Lightfall

Some of the themes that he explores include the birth and growth of romantic love, as in the Dream Fragment series; the passion of romantic love, as in Prometheans; and the discovery of the ideal self, as in the Atlanteans series