George Peterson, Spiral, 2015, recycled skateboard, screws, paint, 72 × 80 inches. Museum purchase with funds provided by David Moltke-Hansen and Patricia Poteat, 2015.44.01. © George Peterson George Peterson’s approach to sculpture employs destruction as a means of creation. He assembled this sculpture from broken skateboards and burned the surface of the wood before applying paint and iron oxide pigments. Resembling a fossil unearthed from the ground, Spiral conveys a natural symmetry and primordial energy. The layers of overlapping boards suggest layers of history, as each board represents a distinct time in the life of the skateboarder who originally used and “sculpted” it. One of the largest works made by the artist to date, Spiral embodies the creativity and rebellious spirit of skateboard culture by transforming irreverent actions into a raw yet compelling aesthetic.
Spiral is on view in the Windgate Foundation Atrium, level 1.
