Inside the sculptor’s studio

Suzie Harrison

Last Sunday late in the afternoon, Community Art Project offered

art lovers the opportunity to get to know Laguna sculptor James Koch

better, offering an open door to see the artist’s home, studio and

sculpture gardens.

Koch is a found-object sculptor whose pieces are primarily made of

metal and range in various sizes from small statuettes to have

inside, to 6-foot art for the garden or yard.

He primarily uses metal with some cement and rocks and his

favorite surface is rust.

Koch also gave a demonstration of how he creates his work and

talked among the guests about his roots, his technique and

inspiration.

“I am an art welder and a blacksmith,” Koch said. “My vice is

doing it in the backyard -- I’m prolific and do it all day and I love

to weld at night. It’s like a Frankenstein laboratory.

There were a lot of abstract social commentaries as well as

religious symbols and a mix ranging the spectrum.

“I love springs, screws, bolts and nuts,” Koch said. “Scribble is

an homage to Dr. Seuss -- he was a great influence.”

“A lot of my work has religious undertones,” Koch said.

The sacred heart of Jesus, crucifixes were a part of his work

collection.

A crowd of about 40 to 50 people watched the artist and mingled as

they enjoyed wine, hors d’oeuvres and a plethora of art to feast

upon.

His house was built in 1927 and is full of charm and accents.

He is a Sawdust exhibitor and won first place at the festival for

his creativity.

Information: 494-3780.