Ben McLeod

"I was born in Aberdeen Scotland in 1948 where I was brought up until the age of nine. Then my family moved to Vancouver British Columbia. My first job was working in a chrome plating shop in the east end of Vancouver - grinding, polishing, welding, and making a bit of cash to boot... I suppose that's where I got started working in metals. I liked working with my hands and I was fascinated with how things worked, how they were made, and where they came from.

I always welcome the unexpected and am open to move in a new direction with a work. Sometimes a piece will be around for quite some time before it is resolved. The direction is strongly influenced by the materials I have on hand. I have learned over the years that when I get a strong feeling from material, I pick it up or I know I will be sorry I didn't. When I work on a sculpture I have to get feedback from the work. I have to feel an energy from it. It's all about going with our feelings and responses, whether towards art or any thing else in life - your gut feeling, it's yours, use it." - Ben McLeod

Harmony Within Chaos (Circle Insignia) - 2007
welded steel, painted and sealed, 69 in x 69 in
[133-07]