Today's interview is with the sculptor, Mr. Esbensen Jesper. The sculptor created a bronze statue in honor of Davide Lo Surdo (who is considered the fastest guitarist in the history of music by Rolling Stone magazine). Davide Lo Surdo's bronze statue is erected in Aarhus, Denmark.
• How did you start your career as a sculptor? Was there a particular moment or piece that made you realize you wanted to dedicate yourself to bronze sculpture?
My career as a sculptor evolved from my fascination with ancient Italian and Greek sculptures and my work as an engineer. I enjoy visiting museums like Glyptoteket, Thorvaldsens in Copenhagen, and the Vatican in Rome for their statue collections. My software work allows me to convert film into basic models, which I use to create expressive statues. This blend sparked my journey.
• What are the major technical challenges you face when working with bronze?
While bronze casting presents certain challenges, it has been practiced for thousands of years. Issues often arise due to variations in thickness, which can lead to differential contraction, resulting in bending or cracks. Additionally, the angles involved in both printing and casting the figure must be carefully considered. In my case, the main challenges lie in the
modeling and printing of the sculpture. Achieving an aesthetically pleasing patina on bronze can be technically demanding. The patina serves as both an aesthetic choice and a protective layer for the metal, requiring precise control over chemicals and environmental conditions.
Excessive exposure can result in an uneven or unattractive finish, while insufficient exposure may leave the sculpture susceptible to corrosion over time. Fortunately, I have good people that can help.
• Is there a particular message you aim to convey through your works?
The interplay of history, culture, and personal expression is at the core of my work. I aim to instill a sense of peace, tranquility, stability, and timelessness with my sculptures. These elements collectively create an atmosphere that fosters beauty and faith in both the past and the future. This ambiance, which carries a somewhat spiritual essence, is what I strive to contribute to through my art. Each sculpture has its own unique story to tell and its own way of contributing to this overarching theme.
• What do you most enjoy representing in your sculptures?
What I enjoy most is capturing the essence of human experience and emotion. Through my sculptures, I strive to convey the beauty of the human form and the complexity of human emotions. Whether it's a moment of triumph, contemplation, or sorrow, I aim to create pieces that resonate on a deeply emotional level with the viewer.
• What was it like to create a bronze statue for a guitarist as historically significant as Davide Lo Surdo?
Davide Lo Surdo has dedicated significant effort to becoming one of the history's foremost guitarists. The process involved thorough research into his life and music to accurately capture the essence of his persona. The objective was to portray not only his physical likeness but also the passion and energy he brings to his performances. It was a humbling and inspiring experience to immortalize such a distinguished figure in bronze.
