Episode 111: Ivan McLean

Kevin Kirkwood recorded this episode in Portland, Oregon during a weeklong trip through the Pacific Northwest, opening a new series of conversations with six regional artists and beginning with sculptor Ivan McLean.

Ivan took an unconventional road into art, from studying farm management at Cal Poly to the Peace Corps, a sheep station in Australia, and a furniture business run with his brother. He first learned to weld out of necessity, fixing machinery on Northern California ranches, and moved into sculpture full time only after the furniture business hit a downturn in 2001. Since then he has become known for his intricate sculptures, working across steel, bronze, kiln-formed glass, wood, and stone.

In this conversation, Ivan reflects on the winding path that led him to sculpture, the moment welding stopped being a repair skill and became a creative language, and what he is making in the studio these days.

Learn more: ivanmclean.com | @ivanmcleanart
artelementsgallery.com | @artelements
sculpturesite.com | @sculpturesite

Follow the host: kevin-kirkwood.com | @kevinwillpaint | @strandpodcast

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