Independent – A Story of Unlocking the Unknown
Keys hold power. They secure, they hide, they reveal—each one an artifact of something once locked away. Independent is an assemblage of mystery and function, a layered composition where timeworn keys, aged metal, and rich textures intertwine to tell a silent story of passage, access, and forgotten places.
At its core, the inner canvas is an industrial relic, steeped in deep browns, charcoals, and metallic highlights. Layers of corrugated elements and texture pastes create a worn, distressed surface, evoking the feeling of something unearthed—a remnant from an old workshop, an abandoned space where the echoes of machinery still hum.
Mounted on this textured foundation is an antique clock winding key, its past function now repurposed as a symbol of movement and control. Nearby, a repurposed key rests atop an old clock gear, reinforcing the theme of mechanisms, time, and passage. In the lower left corner, an aged escutcheon sits within a resin filled frame with a crackled background, serving as a reminder that every key once had a lock, every door a story.
This layered canvas is then suspended above a larger wooden cradle frame, finished in charcoal black to provide striking contrast. The background of the frame is a collage of old keys, generously gifted by a friend—car keys, house keys, lockbox keys—each with a history now embedded into the piece itself. These keys are set within a sand-textured background, reminiscent of concrete or stone, but thoughtfully chosen to remain lightweight for hanging.
Independent is more than just a name—it’s an invitation to explore what’s been left behind, to consider what these keys once unlocked, and to recognize the strength in standing on your own.
Perfect for collectors who are drawn to industrial style mixed media, steampunk aesthetics, and storytelling through assemblage, Independent offers a visual journey through time, function, and forgotten spaces.
SIZE: 9" x 12" x 2" (23cm x 30.5cm x 5cm)
Special Care for Encaustic Artwork... Encaustic artwork is created with a combination of beeswax (note for those who are allergic) and damar resin. This art form has existed for centuries, but because of the natural properties of the wax it does require to be displayed out of direct sunlight in a temperature controlled environment.
