(from the May 2008 Issue)
T Barny Sculpture Glows In 2008
“When sunlight hits the Calcite crystals, it is
like carving champagne or the last rays of a Hawaiian sunset. I strive
to take my sculptures as thin as possible and these Calcite crystals capture
the incredible light ,” states California sculptor T Barny.
Honeycomb Calcite is an impressive & unique form of onyx. It is a
translucent, luminous stone which is mined exclusively in the state of
Utah. Its glowing appeal is ideal for T Barny’s curvilinear, mobius
and superellipsoid
designs.
In 2008, T Barny has the challenge to carve into the 12,000 pounds of
Utah Calcite in his “rock garden” near Healdsburg, California.
His creative energy is now focused on a stone that captures the attention
of galleries,
collectors and art lovers who look for statement pieces that have unique
visual appeal.
“I began carving this rare stone 8 years ago but never had the opportunity
to totally immerse myself in it. The pieces I carved previously were acquired
as soon as they were finished,” comments T Barny. The popularity
of his signature mobius design works well with the texture and transparency
that is in this beautiful stone.
The discovery of the stone came about completely by accident. A group
of miners were working at a site in eastern Utah. They had been removing
topsoil and were preparing to leave for the day when they noticed a pile
of overburden glowing in the afternoon sun. The sunlight refracted through
the crystals causing the stone to “glow”. The group, quite
taken with this phenomenon, removed samples of the stone to have it tested
and classified. It was a new form of calcite. It differs from the other
700 forms of calcite as a because of it strength, stability, luminous
qualities and color. The color ranges from a soft, sunshine yellow to
a deep honey amber depending upon the thickness of the stone.
T Barny has spent his life in a love affair with stone. He studied art,
sculpture & design at Denison University, Brown University and the
Rhode Island School of Design. Abstraction is his fascination and power
tools are his forte. T Barny’s exhibitions and awards span decades
and his pieces hold prestigious placement in collections internationally.
The pieces and the scope of T Barny’s work can be seen at www.tbarny.com.
Copyright 2008 Stone Industry News. All rights reserved.