Dock of the Bay

“When I am creating with clay, the piece really does take on a life of its own. I use non drying so I can keep going back to the piece and change it as I see fit. When I get back to a sculpture I have worked on myself, I can feel my own hands on it, my own thumb prints for example, and that is immensely satisfying. I love rolling my sleeves up in the foundry; when I am working in metal I still try to communicate love, home, challenge fragility, innocence… all the things i draw about I try to put into my sculptures” – Mackenzie Thorpe

In this limited edition bronze sculpture for sale, Mackenzie Thorpe shows a small child, sitting at the very edge of a long dock. The details in this piece are spectacular, as every natural imperfection in the wood planks and ropes on the dock posts is visible. They come to life and do not look like they’re made out of a hard, bronze material.

The child is shown in Thorpe’s signature style, wearing the dark hooded duffle coat and big, sturdy shoes. He is holding a heart in his hands as if he is ready to give it to the first person he meets. The child does not have a face because he is meant to represent every child. Thorpe wants the viewers to be able to look at the figure and see themselves or someone that they know in the sculpture. He wants the viewer to relate to the universal message of hope and love that he is communicating.

The dock protrudes over a body of water, represented by the reflective base. There’s a beautifully sculpted rock near the end of the dock, emphasizing the appearance of a lake. At first glance, this image feels somber, still and meditative as the figure sits in isolation. It is actually a representation of hope. It shows that even on the darkest days or when we feel most alone, like the figure on the dock, we can still find love and joy. To appreciate the light in the world, we must also have an understanding of the darkness. Thorpe firmly believes that we must go through the hardships to be able to appreciate the joys in life.

This artwork is an excellent example of Thorpe’s artistic talents as his work is honest and immediate. He uses his hands to sculpt the clay before it is cast and appreciates the little details. He depicts exactly what he is feeling in the moment, capturing the essence of our human existence. This iconic Mackenzie Thorpe artwork, along with several other artworks, is available for sale at the Marcus Ashley Gallery in South Lake Tahoe. The gallery invites you to visit and share your love of art with them, explore the great wilderness of the Sierras, and find yourself at a home away from home.