Hank Kaminsky

Hank Kaminsky & Sand Matrix Metalwork

Hank Kaminsky is a sculptor with 35 years at the search. He makes his living lately by sculpting bronze busts of dead heros and little kids. Since 1971 he has been digging interesting holes in the sand and filling them with metal, a process he insists on calling "Sand-Matrix" Design to differentiate it from regular sand casting which is suspiciously similar but decidedly reproductive.

These works were done over a 15 year period and range from the earliest "collage" type designs such as the coin belt buckle to more complex forms such as the ring and the chalice. In all of these works impressions were made in molding sand and filled with metal. Some of these impressions were made by forms which were replaced by sand cores (the rings), some of these impressions were followed by other objects and sand carving or additions. In all cases the form was designed from the inside.

Kaminsky is trying to write a book on the subject of Sand-Matrix Design and is teaching at his studio. He is also affiliated with the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville AR where he enjoys the faculty position of general nuissance (Adjunct Assistant Professor of Art) and occasionaly does some useful work.

The images are:

amethrg.jpg (20k) 14K gold and amethyst ring
blustnrg.jpg (16k) one view of a Blue Topaz and 14K gold ring
blstnrg2.jpg (16k) 2nd view of the above ring
isaaca.jpg (20k) a zinc relief sculpture called "Isaaca's Angel" made in the collage style by the impressions of a figure sculpture, seashells and crystal forms (6"x10")
sculpt.jpg (20k) a zinc sculpture (roughly 6" tall") called "The Dark Tower" made by successive impressions and carving of a sand bed.
earrings.jpg (16k) bronze earrings made with seashell impression pearlrg.jpg sterling silver, blue and white pearls mounted on pegs pressed into the sand after a carved plaster signet pattern was removed.
nicklebk.jpg (20k) bronze belt buckle early in career made with impressions of two sides of the same Indian Head nickle and a flat chisel.
chalice.jpg (20k) pewter, bronze and padouk chalice made for Fayetteville AR church. Forms are sand-matrix designed and bolted or riveted together. Words on the cup are "peace" in 7 languages. Words on the rising spirals "I am the Vine" and "You are the Branches" all underlayed with Hebrew and Greek phrases. Also made for the church was a wine decanter, a bread plate and some candle holders.
decanter.jpg (24k) Wine decanter, bronze and blown glass. The glass was blown into a sand cast bronze mold. The bronze forms are fitted to the glass with screws in the cast bottom plate.

Hank Kaminsky kaminsky@comp.uark.edu

641 West 6th Street  "The Art Experience"  (Studio)  501-442-5805
543 Assembly Rd. (Home)  501-443-2077 
Fayetteville, AR 72701

ArtMetal Curator: Enrique Vega
Last Updated: Sat, Jul 29, 1995