Faulty Towers by Ellen Carno

Vessel/Sculpture

Steel mesh , Liquid Enamel, Epoxy Clay

Sgraffito

24  x 24  x 12 inches

My journey into metalwork began a little more than decade ago with a moment of pure serendipity—a chance encounter with a metalworking class that completely rewrote my professional trajectory. Prior to finding my calling at the bench, my life was rooted in political organizing, public relations, and court mediation. When that road forked, I stepped forward into the arts and never looked back.

Today, my practice is a celebration of shape, dimension, movement, and material illusion. My studio process is guided by a passion for exploration and problem-solving, with a specific interest in challenging perceptions of metal and enamel. I am driven to push the boundaries of these materials, finding ways to make them appear to mimic the characteristics of other forms—the earthy weight of ceramics, the soft drape of fabric, or the delicate texture of textiles and paper.
My box and tower series is an attempt to coax rigid metal into simulating the subtle warp and weave of a textured textile or woven paper surface, creating a visual softness that belies its actual strength. The stack itself, in its cascading, off-kilter orientation, emphasizes movement and asymmetry over static order, introducing an intentional moment of the "unexpected."

For me, the true joy of the studio resides in this constant conversation with the material. The most profound moments of creation occur when my hands follow what the material demands, allowing a piece to transcend its inherent rigidity. My work seeks that definitive moment when it feels elegant, complex, and wonderfully unpredictable—a testament to the endless thrill of the experiment.