EDWARD CHESNEY (AMERICAN, 1922-2008), COLD CAST BRONZE SCULPTURE, 1981, H 6', "SOUTHWIND":LIFE SIZE COLD CAST BRONZE SCULPTURE BY MICHIGAN ARTIST EDWARD CHESNEY. CAST IN 1981 AT FINE ARTS FOUNDRY, CLARKSTON, MICHIGAN. GREEN PATINA. PROPERTY OF A DESCENDANT. A SECOND VERSION OF THIS SCULPTURE HIGHLIGHTS THE ATRIUM OF A CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS IN MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO. THERE ARE TWO VERSIONS: ONE WITH FLOWERS IN HER HAIR (OFFERED FOR SALE) AND ONE MINUS FLOWERS (IN MISSISSAUGA). THE SOUTHWIND WAS ACTUALLY CAST AT THE FINE ARTS SCULPTURE FOUNDRY IN CLARKSTON.
IN THE COLD CAST PROCESS, FIRST THE NEGATIVE MOLD IS MADE FROM THE CLAY MODEL. THE SCULPTURE ITSELF IS COMPOSED OF A MEDIUM THAT IS 65 PERCENT PURE BRONZE POWDER AND 35 PERCENT RESIN. THIS VISCOUS SOLUTION IS HEATED AND POURED INTO THE MOLD AND DISTRIBUTED TO A THICKNESS OF ABOUT 1/2 INCH. WHEN THE SCULPTURE IS DEMOLDED, THE SURFACES OF THE PIECE ARE CLEANED AND BUFFED. AT . AT THIS STAGE IT HAS THE BRASSY APPEARANCE OF A FOUNDRY CAST PIECE. AS IT IS COMPOSED OF BRONZE, IT CAN NOW RECEIVE THE PATINA- JUST LIKE A FOUNDRY CAST PIECE. TECHNICALLY IT IS NOT A FOUNDRY CAST BRONZE, BUT CAN IT BE CALLED A BRONZE SCULPTURE? - YES. THE PIECE IN THE CONTEXT OF AN OUTDOOR SETTING HAS THE LOOK AND FEEL AND DURABILITY OF A SOLID BRONZE PIECE- BECAUSE THROUGH THE ENTIRE THICKNESS OF THE MATERIAL, IT IS BRONZE. THAT IS THE NATURE OF COLD CAST BRONZE

The index finger on her left hand has been repaired where it attaches at the knuckle. TW 8-15-18 Otherwise good condition. Small chip in the patina. jw