"Pink Kimono" by Gordon Chandler

Upon discovering a weathered steel drum that had been warped to resemble the sleeve of a garment, artist Gordon Chandler was inspired to embark on a series of kimono sculptures formed from found metal scraps. With an eye to the aesthetic possibilities of this humble material, Chandler invests the reclaimed steel with sculptural fluidity and a wry sense of form.

Flattened with the center portion rolled out, this discarded oil barrel takes on the look of a traditional kimono. Carefully worked, the dented metal becomes a length of draped silk, puckering along pleated folds and folded back at the neck to form a simple collar. The original pink and white coating of the repurposed steel has taken on new life over the years, richly worn with softened color and fantastic rusted wear. A small metal plate secured to the collar finishes the sculpture in lieu of a garment label, stamped with the artist's signature and date of creation.