Peter M Russell
Artist Statement
Peter Russell is a sculptor and furniture maker focused in wood. Inspired by the trunks and branches of trees as well as animal forms, his work investigates movement, rigidity, anthropomorphism, as well as the relationship building with wood has to the trees it comes from. Peter’s work spans from functional to purely sculptural, sometimes forcing the viewer to guess which category a piece fits into. As you interact with his work, you are forced to appreciate the natural beauty inherent to the material he uses.
About
Spending his childhood climbing trees and investigating the natural world, Peter has a deep appreciation for the forms of plants and animals. This respect and imprinted knowledge shows itself in his work in the form of feet, legs, knuckles, and backs. Peter graduated with a Bachelors of Arts from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 2016. Since then he has operated in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Taking full advantage of Pittsburghs availability of hardwoods, Peter began milling Pennsylvanian hardwoods with his alaskan chainsaw mill. This is the wood he uses in his pieces; further tying his work to the land.