Description

Mackenzie Thorpe was inspired by the Robert Frost quote, “The woods are lovely, dark and deep. But I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep”, when creating this artwork. In this limited edition bronze sculpture for sale, Thorpe shows a single figure pulling a huge heart behind him. He has just come over the top of a hill and is surrounded on every side by a dense thicket of tall trees. The figure is depicted in Thorpe’s signature style, with a hooded duffle coat and big, sturdy shoes. He has no face as he is meant to represent everyone, regardless of race, age, gender, or background.

Thorpe believes that life is a journey. We know when we are born, someone tells us the date and the time, but what we do not know is the end. There are ups and downs, good times and bad times, just like the hill that the central figure in this artwork must climb. Thorpe believes that it is our job to keep the world going for the next generation and to always bring love on the journey.

The trees in this piece are a metaphor. Thorpe wants to communicate that we must push through, even when the trees turn into prison bars and it seems that we can’t continue. The figure feels trapped and is looking for a way out. Sometimes the best choice is the hardest one, to continue to push through when you don’t know where you are headed. We could cut down all the trees and smash through the forest or we could realize that the wood could be utilized in a new way. It could give us a house, build us a fire to keep us warm, give us fruit and life to carry on with our journey. The trees are strong and steady. Thorpe wanted them to represent his family members, his mother and father, aunts and uncles. He firmly believes that the two most important things in life are love and family; They are all that we need and can get us through anything.

Thorpe loves to work in a bronze medium as it allows for the figures to be strong, like they are wearing a suit of armor. The figure is protected because all he wants to do is to bring love to everyone he encounters, no matter the cost. Thorpe can play with the medium, communicating soft features in a permanent sculpture. He can create delicate features, like the string that the figure is pulling the heart with, while still creating a strong message.

The tall trees in this Mackenzie Thorpe artwork are not dissimilar to something you may see near our gallery in Lake Tahoe. This piece was actually created in a foundry in California where Thorpe likes to frequently visit. Marcus Ashley Gallery is one of Lake Tahoe’s premier fine art galleries, situated in Heavenly Village’s bustling shopping district. Along with several Mackenzie Thorpe artworks for sale, the gallery exhibits 40+ of the most famous artists of our time.