Rey D’Alfonso

I begin with new panels of Baltic Birch wood upon which I carve, gouge and rivet objects that I have collected in my travels. I then saturate the surfaces with pure pigments & waxes, heating with a torch & engraving with hand made tools. At times I embed found objects such as old machine plaques or antique cigar boxes. These objects have transcended from mere things into storied artifacts, each imbued with the imprint of human intention. Some are clearly autobiographical, while others echo broader human concerns, such as the cast brass plaques and weathered steel signs, lasting testament to man’s industry and achievement, but also to inevitable change and impermanence. In essence, I strive to reveal human commonalities, exposing layers of texture as experience and traces of colors and scrawls to remind the viewer of the inescapable pull of our shared human history.