Sculptures by Indiana native Mary Pat Wallen (b. 1963) are influenced by her “own reflections of human struggles and the need to achieve balance”. These sculptures, predominantly crafted from bronze or resin, “convey grace amongst the rust and corrosion of humanity and demonstrate a controlled chaos - a yin and a yang.” Wallen has the rare ability to be ambiguous regarding gender, race, and other characteristics that are often immediately identifiable in a piece of art. With many sculptures created on a commissioned, site-specific basis, her works easily harmonize with the surrounding environments.Wallen’s works have been exhibited at art fairs and gallery exhibits across the United States. She has pieces in significant private collections and has created custom sculptures for four of the largest yacht companies in the world for over three decades.Additionally, her works have been featured in publications such as Haute Living, Boat International, and Mega Yacht News, among others. Artist Statement I believe, with in us all, there lies a strength that helps us to remain whole, intact and above all, balanced. My sculptures are influenced by my own reflections of human struggles and the need to achieve balance. By stretching the legs and body, my figures depict the great lengths humans can be “stretched” yet still maintain the power to overcome the odds and achieve the near impossible. The birds are present to sing a song of encouragement. Like the birds, we too can rise above our frail appearance, draw strengths from with in and remain perfectly balanced to soar. Lost Wax Sculpture Method Broken Down: Wax stage: Wallen spends countless hours over a hot crockpot of wax creating one-of- a-kind sculptures.Gating/Slurry stage: The wax sculpture is gated and dipped in a slurry of plaster, allowed to dry and then placed in a kiln.Kiln stage: The temperature of the kiln is so hot that the wax evaporates and creates a hollow crevice that is replaced with hot molten bronze.Sand blast stage: The layer of plaster has to be sandblasted. Sandblasting is tedious, but crucial, as plaster residue would add weight to the final sculpture.Patina stage: Multiple layers of acids are applied. Patinas are applied cold or with a torch. The sculpture is then sealed with multiple layers of wax. FIGURATIVE PANELS Technique Wallen's pieces are very lightweight. The work is done on a cradled wooden panel.1.The artist takes 8’-10’ sheets of aluminum and apply patina to them.This takes the longest. There are 30 or more layers of glazes. Each glaze will react with one or more under glazes to give you the polka-dot pattern and texture. She does this in the summer so that the sun aids in the drying time. Then stores them in the studio for the winter when she and cuts/glues them like a quilt2.The artist sculpts the figures on top with resin and then applies gold leaf. 3. Then one final patina and fixative is applied. 4. All the flips, folds and birds are placed within the piece to provide a balanced composition. These are done in the initial drawing stage- long before she starts the piece.