Brad Spencer is one of the very few artists in the world who creates sculptures from bricks. Spencer’s mediums include clay, plaster, cement, and bronze. In 1989, he began to experiment with sculpting in the brick medium that allowed him to use his experience in painting, drawing, and molding. Spencer would carve unfired clay brick material in his Reidsville studio, then deconstruct the sculpture, brick by brick, and have it fired. You have to check this out!
He would then reconstruct the sculpture using the fired bricks with mortar at the site of installation.
He likes to involve the public when he reconstructs his work, even allowing onlookers to set a brick or two.
Spencer has work in public spaces throughout the Southeast including Charlotte, Greenville, and Asheville.
Brad says, “Brick sculpture can be dated back to ancient Babylon but remains a fresh and interesting enhancement to any building, wall or environment.”
The brick medium has all the same characteristics, durability, and low maintenance as a brick building. It also blends well in settings where other brick construction is present and looks good with landscaping. It has a familiarity which is comforting to people.
It also blends well in settings where other brick construction is present and looks good with landscaping. It has a familiarity which is comforting to people.
Brick sculpture adds intrigue and interest to a commonly understood material, as viewers try to figure out the techniques by which it was created.
During his undergraduate work in painting, he took sculpture as an elective course, through which he discovered his calling.
These would really make people stop and look. This looks like an actual living being who just happened to be painted to match the brick.
You can see how people are looking at the sculpture that his artwork is very attention grabbing.
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Brad is a very talented artist and I would love to see one of these brick sculptures by Brad Spencer in my own city. These are a truly unique spin on something I would have never thought to use for sculptures.