JOHN S. ENSLING

FEATHER PEN, 2024

Value: $7850

John S. Ensling is a master sculptor whose work in stone transcends the ordinary, breathing life into materials that have stood the test of time. Specializing in marble, onyx, alabaster, and limestone, Ensling approaches each piece with a profound respect for the stone's natural properties, allowing its inherent qualities to guide his creative process. His sculptures, often described as expressionistic and abstract, are characterized by their fluidity and movement, despite being carved from some of the hardest materials on earth.

Ensling's artistic journey is deeply connected to the history of stone carving, a tradition that dates back to ancient times. He describes his process as one of discovery, where the stone itself reveals the direction and form it wishes to take. This intimate dialogue between artist and material results in works that are both powerful and delicate, embodying a sense of grace and freedom that defies the stone's solidity.

His sculptures evoke a range of emotions, from strength to vulnerability, as they explore the tension between permanence and impermanence. Whether in the sweeping curves of an alabaster figure or the bold lines of a marble abstraction, Jesse Ensling's work invites viewers to see beyond the surface, to the soul of the stone itself.

Medium: Soapstone

Dimensions: 27" x 5" x 3"