Al Waxman | Part 2

Al Waxman, as a sculpted figure portrait, is done in the very same methodology as any of my other sculptures, which is essentially trying to locate his physical figure in space. That becomes a three dimensional exercise. The figure, once I map the figure I know the points, I know where the elbows are, I know… Essentially I act out the gesture and all the points are in relation to one another. One elbow is further forward than the other, one elbow's further back. That's all part of my translation process. The source photo as he looks standing here is a Harry Rosen suit ad. And this was a shot of him wearing a tux, which in fairness he did often because he was forever giving and receiving awards. He was not new to a tuxedo, but this just seemed to be a shot with which he was really pleased. And I think at some point if I was going to be bronzed, I would like to think that you worked from the best photo you could get. (Laughs)

At some point I carved his trousers and I remember his wife saying, "Oh, you know, I don't think Al would have worn such baggy trousers". And, of course, as a heavy man he would have wanted to look as slim as he possibly could in photographs. And so I do remember having to, to just chop the pants way down.

If you look carefully at the lapel there are two pins. One is the Order of Canada and one is the Order of Ontario, both of which he was very proud. The Order of Ontario has 3 tiny petals like a trillium, which is, the trillium being the provincial flower for Ontario, and the Order of Canada of course has a maple leaf.

Have you heard Part 1 yet?

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