Gary Chaffin

In 1971 I discovered and developed my ability to sketch with wire to make earrings, then elephants and trains. In my excitement I got too big for ears so I went with mobiles over my daughter’s crib!
My career as a demonstrating wire artist, specializing in mobiles, began in 1975 at Portland Oregon Saturday Market: Brass Wire Mobiles. I continued to create Mobiles for 10 years traveling the West Coast. Then, as guest artist at Sea World, San Diego, I began making 3D sculptures starting with simple dolphin shapes.
In 1992 we left Oregon on a 3 month fair tour which turned into an 8 year adventure living out of our motor home. We were exhibiting in Midwest and East Coast shows, and eventually moved to Florida. During this time I pursued a second career in education with the Seminole Tribe of Florida. In 2017 we relocated to Rio Rancho, New Mexico, a new experience with shows in New Mexico, Colorado, Texas, Arizona, Wyoming, Oklahoma and California

My latest creations have been based on mechanical movement to invite viewer participation and have been a delight for children and adults.

The experimental use of negative space has been the focus of my sculptures. Each of my three-dimensional designs are spontaneous impressions. I begin with a loose image in my mind. Then as I develop the idea in wire, the finished design takes on its own personality.

There are no patterns or drawings beforehand. Each complex design is created totally freehand, sometimes from a continuous wire.