1970s Stan Bennett Pegasus Hanging Wire Sculpture, California Studio Craft, Kinetic Art

Details

Description

An original hanging wire sculpture attributed to California artist Stan Bennett, an early pioneer of Ferndale's kinetic art movement. Beginning … Read more An original hanging wire sculpture attributed to California artist Stan Bennett, an early pioneer of Ferndale's kinetic art movement. Beginning in 1968, Bennett created imaginative kinetic sculptures before becoming widely recognized for his whimsical Magic Marble Machines. His creativity helped inspire Humboldt County's legendary Kinetic Grand Championship, an annual race of human-powered kinetic sculptures, and he later documented the event's formative years in his book Crazy Contraptions: A Light-Hearted Look at Ferndale's Kinetic Sculpture Race.

This handcrafted Pegasus is constructed entirely from welded steel wire, demonstrating Bennett's ability to create expressive movement using line and negative space. Designed to be suspended from the ceiling, the sculpture appears to float while casting dynamic shadows that become part of the composition. Its light, open construction reflects the playful engineering and kinetic sensibility for which Bennett became known.

Provenance: Acquired directly from the estate of the artist's longtime dentist and personal friend, who owned multiple works by Stan Bennett.

The sculpture retains a beautiful aged patina. There are several separated welds consistent with age, but it remains structurally sound and displays properly when suspended. It has been left in original vintage condition, allowing the next owner to preserve its history or pursue a conservation-minded repair if desired.

An engaging example of late 20th-century California studio craft that bridges sculpture, engineering, and the early kinetic art movement.

Dimensions

Width: 18 in.
Depth: 10 in.
Height: 10.5 in.

Materials
Welded steel wire

Place of Origin
California, USA

Period
Circa 1970s–1980s See less