Beginning with childhood paper dolls, chains, pop-out books and greeting cards, I have been intrigued by paper sculpture. I loved the forms but wanted the works to be more permanent.
Gail Chavenelle

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Gail Chavenelle | Chavenelle Studio Metalworks
Artist – Metalworker

Gail Chavenelle is an artist helping you create joyful spaces with sheet metal sculpture. For more than 25 years, her pieces have helped us celebrate, give thanks, mourn, laugh and sing. These brilliantly simple strips of metal have expressed our feelings when words fell short. Instead of a sheet of paper, she works with a sheet of metal – steel. As with paper sculpture, she creates three-dimensional images from a flat sheet by folding and bending. You might call her sculpture  “Permanent Paper.” Her collection includes works in stainless steel, rusted steel and a variety of colored powder-coated finishes.

“I explore metal’s kinetic movement so pieces can bounce, fly or dance in the breeze. I love the curl as strips of metal become wild hair. I am awed as a turn of a metal head creates an intimate moment between lovers or parent and child.” – Gail Chavenelle

The organic quality of her pieces transcend the connotations of the medium. Instead of harsh edges, there is line and movement. It is often a wonderful mystery as where the piece begins or ends! Each design weaves into itself creating the whole. 

1155 Kelly Lane | Dubuque, IA 52003
563.599.6372
[email protected]
By Chance/Appointment Only

SCENIC ART LOOP by ARRT
Board of Directors

  • Henry Matthiessen III
  • Amy Laskye
  • Stephonie Schmitz
  • Jenna Lueck