Spring 2024

Texas-based artist Charles Pebworth (1926-2019) is best known for his metal relief sculptures. He combines contrasting materials with elements of the personal and abstract to create imaginative,
geometric compositions. His artist’s statement says that his art expresses his feelings about his “Indian heritage past and hi-technology present” and that he feels it “gives off an aura of mysticism” that he hopes the viewer can share in.
This sculpture consists of copper, wood, and unique bronze casting. It folds up into a box measuring approx. 2.5” x 2.5” x 6.5” inches. When unfolded, the relief measures approx 11.5” x 6.5”
inches.
The hinges are “knife hinges” without fasteners. According to Betty Moody of Moody Gallery,who has represented Pebworth for many years, the piece is part of a series of repurposed Singer puzzle boxes that the artist made starting in the late 1970s. These neat and compact boxes were sewing kits that provided supplies and attachments to do many common tasks like hemming, braiding, tucking, etc. As modern sewing machines replaced the older machines, these Singer puzzle boxes became obsolete
and would turn up at garage sales or flea markets, which is where the artist sourced them.

OnAim began by removing the broken hinge’s brass inlay with a rotary tool and, using a similar sculpture by the same artist as a reference, designed and created a new hinge from brass, welded with flux-coated silica bronze, and attached with a quick-setting adhesive and brass pins. Upon discovering that a second hinge was needed for uniform spacing, OnAim repeated the hinge creation and attachment process. Both hinges were then patinated with liver of sulfur, and the box’s exterior was treated with mineral oil. Residual polishing compounds were cleaned from the interior, and a gentle polishing cloth was used on all appropriate brass and copper sections inside the box.