"Blue Kimono" by Gordon Chandler

Upon discovering a weathered steel drum that had been warped to resemble the sleeve of a garment, artist Gordon Chandler was inspired to embark on a series of kimono sculptures formed from found metal scraps. Flattened with the center portion rolled out, this discarded barrel takes on the look of a traditional kimono. Painted a brilliant blue, the dented metal appears as finely draped silk, peeled back to reveal a cream-colored “lining.” The drum's ribbed edges are reimagined as tightly pleated sleeves, hanging loosely like flowing fabric. With an eye to the aesthetic possibilities of this humble material, Chandler invests the reclaimed steel with sculptural fluidity and a wry sense of form.