In the Studio with Brian Walters II
April 2, 2025
Self-taught Connecticut-based sculptor Brian Walters II sat down with us to discuss his background, career, and what motivates his practice. Walters creates abstract metal sculptures using raw, reclaimed steel. Brian Walters’ work is comprised of salvaged material sourced locally. Every bit and piece that he collects in his journeys throughout Connecticut has a story to tell. From a flywheel out of a Chevy truck to a piece of rebar that once held a sidewalk together, there is something unique to each individual piece used in his work. Walters highlights the rust, peeling paint, gouges and other defects in the material that have been acquired by years of service to society. His aim as a sculptor is to showcase not only the material being used but the story behind it.
CBCA: What’s your background? Did you always want to be an artist?
BW: I stumbled into a career as an artist after leaving a career as a welder. I am a self self taught artist.
CBCA: What excites you to make your work? Why do you make art?
BW: The actual process of creating the work
CBCA: What kind of creative patterns, routines or rituals do you have? What time of day do you prefer to work?
BW: None, I create when I have the ability to do so.
CBCA: How do you begin a work? Do you research? If so, how?
BW: I start by choosing materials from the pile behind the studio.
CBCA: What thoughts go through your mind when you create?
BW: My mind is blank when I create. I am fortunate to tap into a flow state when at the studio.
What artist(s) or movement(s) have influenced your work?
BW: Being a self taught artist I was never exposed or influenced by other artists, genres or movements. Some work may have ties to other artists but there’s no intention behind it.
CBCA: What informs your work? What themes do you pursue?
BW: Assemblage, reuse of material and using my skill set as a fabricator
CBCA: Why/How have you chosen your medium? Which creative medium would you love to pursue but haven’t yet?
BW: Metals were an easy choice due to my previous career as a welder. None.
CBCA: What are you trying to communicate with your art?
BW: I create my work for my own fulfillment, if others get something out of it that’s an added bonus.
CBCA: What is your most intriguing experience as an artist?
BW: Being in several museum and public art permanent collections.
CBCA: How has your work progressed? How has your practice changed over time?
BW: The fit & finish along with the complexity has evolved to a much higher standard than I would have thought was possible when I started two decades ago.
CBCA: How do you balance art with your daily life?
BW: Every day is different.
CBCA: What have you learned from failure?
BW: Keep going.
CBCA: As an artist, how do you define success?
BW: To never become complacent or lose the edge that makes my work unique.
CBCA: How do you make work that is authentic and honest to your process while still addressing the requirements of a project?
Large scale commissioned work is purely a design aesthetic in my opinion. I am not looking to place a message or a meaning in that work outside of making those who view it to be happy when they see it. My priorities are that the work is built to the finest quality, safe and long lasting. Eye catching and enjoyable to passers by is a close second.
Brian Walters II
Brian Walters II
Brian Walters II
Brian Walters II
Brian Walters II
Brian Walters II
