By Shamsiya Hussainpoor
Olinda’s assemblage sculptor, David Cox, embarked on an exciting journey to the United States to create a one-of-a-kind sculpture.
Mr Cox has made a name for himself by transforming old pianos into stunning sculptures, was recently contacted by an American motivational speaker, known as ‘Iron Panda.’
The speaker proposed an unusual solution to the high cost of shipping artwork internationally –instead he offered to buy the artist’s plane ticket to Atlanta in Georgia.
It’s great to take a little bit of the Dandenong Ranges over to Atlanta, which’s a bit strange but really exciting at the same time,” Mr Cox said.
“I’ll be assembling the sculpture over there and getting to collaborate with other artists as well.”
The sculpture will incorporate a special logo related to the speaker’s brand, made by another artist who is known for creating superhero costumes for films like ‘Ant-Man.’
This cross-continental collaboration is a significant moment for the sculptor artist, showcasing the power of art to connect people from different parts of the world.
His work largely focuses on repurposing pianos, which often hold sentimental value for many people.
“So many people have emotional connections to their family pianos, and I help them transform these heavy, broken instruments into beautiful pieces of art, often shaped like a phoenix,” he said.
His sculptures not only safeguards memories but also give a second life to items that might otherwise end up in the rubbish.
This trip is Mr Cox’s second international trip the first was in Malaysia two-years-ago, the opportunity arose after he reconnected with the speaker through social media.
“We knew each other from 20 years ago when I lived in the US, and through Instagram, he tracked me down, and it started with a simple question about costs, and now I’m flying over to assemble a sculpture for him,” he said.
Preparing for the trip had been a bit chaotic for him, he was busy creating parts for the sculpture and experimenting with different materials to achieve the desired effect.
“It’s been a lot of work, especially trying to communicate details across the world, but it’s all part of the adventure,” the assemblage sculptor said.
In addition to this exciting project, the artist has also been busy locally, where he has been participating in Open Studios events, which allowed local artists like him to showcase their work and invite the public into their studios.
“Last year, I had over 200 visitors, which led to ten commissions, it’s a fantastic way to connect with people and share what we do as artists,” he said.
“It’s my only job, but I wouldn’t say it’s full time, I worked between school hours. I was one of those lucky dads who did the school runs, and then from nine to three, I was in the studio tinkering, taking things apart, putting things together, and trying out all kinds of random items.”
However, like many artists, Mr Cox has felt the impact of the current cost-of-living crisis.
“People are still reaching out for commissions, but the conversations have shifted, what used to be an easy decision is now requiring more thought,” he said.
Despite these challenges, he remains hopeful and excited about the positive stories coming out of the local arts community.
The artist left Melbourne on Sunday 27 October, to showcase his creativity on the other side of the world.
He’s looking forward to meeting with galleries in Atlanta and discussing innovative uses for pianos that are no longer playable and hopes to explore future collaborations and opportunities that might arise from this experience.
In reflecting on his journey as an artist, he said he feels grateful for the chance to do what he loves.
“It’s not often you get to travel for work, and I’m really excited about what lies ahead, it really feels like an adventure, and you never know what amazing opportunities might come from it,” he said.
