Marked
2021 - Signature Commission
Material
Carved from a single block of basswood.
Marked is a fully subtractive piece shaped entirely by hand. The faceted interior surfaces carry deep, geometric relief carving inspired by crystalline formations, while all dark tonal work is achieved through pyrography rather than stain or paint. The shallow relief carvings on the underside — featuring the figures of Superman and Wonder Woman — are cut to an exceptionally shallow depth, measuring less than half the thickness of a dime. Across the interior and exterior surfaces, multiple layers of relief create stacked planes, fractures, and textures that form the base of the visual language of the piece.
Context
Marked was conceived as a narrative object. The premise: Wonder Woman commissions a carver to create a keepsake for Superman. The resulting form draws inspiration from the crystalline architecture of the Fortress of Solitude, translated into faceted geometry and fractured planes across the interior surfaces. The Superman emblem appears embedded into the form with force, creating a network of fractures and disruptions that radiate through the piece.
Batman then marks the object. Nearly two dozen iterations of the Batman symbol — drawn from different eras — are burned into the exterior, along with iconography, glyphs, and hidden elements. Select imagery uses anamorphic techniques, becoming visible only when viewed from specific angles, reinforcing Batman’s presence as something hiding in plane sight.
Intent
The intent of Marked is to reward close attention. Every surface invites examination, and the piece is designed to reveal itself gradually through handling, movement, and time. Relief carving, micro-details, symbolic layering, and pyrography are used to create a visually dense object that cannot be fully understood in a single glance. Rather than relying on overt explanation, the piece communicates through embedded narrative and discovery — encouraging the viewer to slow down, explore, and continually uncover new details with each encounter.
