“Crowned in Silence” Welded Steel Wall Sculpture Exploring Duality

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“Crowned in ”Silence”—Welded Steel Wall Sculpture Exploring Duality and Interior Dialogue

Titled “Crowned in Silence,” this monumental wall-mounted sculpture is … Read more “Crowned in ”Silence”—Welded Steel Wall Sculpture Exploring Duality and Interior Dialogue

Titled “Crowned in Silence,” this monumental wall-mounted sculpture is a raw and evocative example of Outsider Art—fusing primal figuration, psychological symbolism, and an industrial material vocabulary. Likely created in the late 20th century by a self-taught artist working outside the academic canon, the piece explores the concept of dual identity through a highly expressive, welded steel composition.

Two stylized human profiles, one rendered in a silver-gray tone and the other in oxidized rust-brown, face one another in silence. Their features—arched brows, hollow eyes, and pursed lips—are simplified yet hauntingly expressive. Between them floats an almond-shaped, eye-like form that may suggest a “third eye,” a void, or a shared consciousness. Above, a dramatic crown of jagged metal peaks rises from the surface, evoking both psychic intensity and a sense of worn majesty. The title, Crowned in Silence, underscores this ambiguous hierarchy—where power, perception, and muteness coexist.

Executed in torch-cut, welded, and patinated steel, the surface is deeply textured, bearing scars from grinder marks, weld seams, and natural oxidation. These techniques reinforce the raw emotional tone, conjuring traditions of Brutalist sculpture, vernacular welding, and Art Brut. The peripheral frame in matte black grounds the composition and subtly enhances the sculpture’s totemic presence.

The work speaks to themes of psychological duality, confrontation and communion, interior voices, and the silence that can exist between closely bound entities—whether lovers, selves, or ancestors. It recalls the emotional intensity of Jean Dubuffet, the spiritual ambiguity of David Smith, and the mythic narrative style of Southern visionary artists.

Materials and Techniques:
Torch-cut and hand-welded steel or iron sheet
Surface oxidation and rust patination
Grinder etching and textural distressing
Mounted in a shallow black-painted wood or steel frame

Style:
Outsider Art / Brutalist / Art Brut / Vernacular American Sculpture

Period:
Circa 1970s–1990s

Condition:
Excellent vintage condition with original surface and patina intact. Stable oxidation throughout. Intentional surface irregularities and expressive tool marks consistent with the artist’s raw technique. Ready to hang.

Dimensions:
Approximately 49" H × 29" W × 2" D

Provenance:
Private American collection; unsigned, consistent with anonymous outsider art traditions. See less