The Craftsmen Series
The Craftsmen Series contains working man's tools recreated in copper pennies that are entirely hollow and true to size. The ghostlike representations of the original tools question the value of labor and time inherent in the object.
God Bless America
God Bless America is a series that evolved from The Craftsmen Series, a collection of tools made out of copper pennies. God Bless America describes objects contained within the home of a nine to five laborer. The series began upon Webber’s move from the midwest to Philadelphia PA USA. The American flags and ribbons that were strung about the endless row housing was a complete departure from the traditional family suburban living Webber was accustomed. The series also features endless strands of penny chains - these chains describe the physical labor carried out in the imagined factory laborer’s nine to five job.
The Craftsmen Series: Silver Edition
The Craftsmen Series: Silver Edition initially began as a commission based series due to Webber’s lack of being able to purchase enough silver coins to fabricate the sculptures. Client’s often gave their personal heirloom collection of silver coins to have Webber create a meaningful sculptural tool that spoke to their own family lineage.
Coin Vessels
The Coin Vessel series honors Webber’s traditional metalsmithing education by recreating historically functional metal tableware into one of a kind sculptural pieces.
Collaboration with Justin Rothshank
Ceramic artist Justin Rothshank teamed up with Stacey Lee Webber for this exclusive collaboration in clay and metal. Rothshank uses earthenware clay glazed with layers of white on top of black with custom Abraham Lincoln and vintage American bison decals. Webber fabricates one of a kind copper penny and buffalo nickel lids responding to the attributes of the hand thrown vessels and highlighting the architecture of the metal lid versus the organic ceramic base. The Abraham Lincoln Jars were a limited edition of eight and stood twelve to fourteen inches tall - all of these artworks are sold. The Buffalo Centerpieces are a limited edition of six and are around sixteen inches long by around six inches high - there are three more pieces to finish within this series.
Justin Rothshank's ceramic work has been exhibited and published nationally and internationally, including articles in Ceramics Monthly, American Craft, Studio Potter, The Log Book, and Neue Keramik. He has been a presenter, panelist, visiting artist, and artist-in-residence at numerous universities, schools, conferences, and art centers throughout the United States and abroad. His functional and decorative ceramic ware is available for purchase in more than two dozen galleries and gift shops around the country. Follow his work at www.rothshank.com
Standard of Living
Standard of Living Series is a celebration of blue collar hand labor through the manipulation of brass screws. Each piece in the collection is made up celebratory flowers meticulously fabricated from forged, formed, and oxidized brass screws. These bouquets and wreaths are symbols of strength and pride in the American working class. Commissions are available upon request within this series.
Fancy Work
The Fancy Work series began Webber’s first fascination with hand tools being used a sculptural subject matter. The term Fancy Work is used to describe an ancient metalsmithing technique called filigree. Filigree is the practice of twisting and soldering using gold or silver wire into intricate shapes to create elaborate ornate textures and patterns. Fancy Work recontextualizes the often mundane or basic jeweler’s tools and working man’s bolts into glorified celebratory sculptures.