Ikigai by John A. Bell
Steel Sculpture
40x53x18
 
I create abstract sculptures from salvaged steel and copper, exploring the tension between permanence and decay. Using welding, brazing, and acid etching, I shape surfaces that evoke weathering and deterioration, reflecting the passage of time and the hidden stories within materials.
 
My work is rooted in a lifelong fascination with metal. Early experiences in horticulture, engineering, and teaching fostered my appreciation for structure, transformation, and craft—elements that now inform my art. By reclaiming discarded metals, I seek to reveal resilience in ruin and beauty in aging.
 
Each sculpture is both material and metaphor, offering textures that invite reflection on change, memory, and endurance.
 
About John A. Bell:
John Bell is a sculptor who transforms salvaged steel and copper into abstract works that explore texture, time, and deterioration. Through welding, brazing, and acid etching, he creates surfaces that suggest weathering and decay, infusing his sculptures with mood and meaning.
 
His passion for metalwork began as a teenager, when he purchased gas welding equipment to pursue creative projects. Over the years he became an accomplished welder, applying his skills in the family horticultural business, as an industrial arts teacher, and as a plant engineer. After retiring, he began designing decorative pieces for friends, which soon evolved into a dedicated sculptural practice.
 
Bell studied ornamental horticulture at SUNY Farmingdale and The Ohio State University, and later took industrial arts courses at NYU. Most recently, he studied at the National Academy School and the School of Visual Arts in New York City. 
 
IG: @jabellscuplt