BERNARDO CORMAN

Sculptor Bernardo Corman makes unusual and imaginative automotive art with various metals, pairing man made aesthetics with the beauty and simplicity of nature's own designs. Inspired by his father’s artistic hobby, Corman began sculpting miniature custom hot rods out of clay during his adolescence.

After attending the Art Institute of Chicago, Corman learned the lost wax process (in which a bronze is cast from an artist's sculpture) and moved to the East Coast where he took a staff position at the prestigious Johnson Atelier in New Jersey. There he honed many of his technical skills while exploring the idea of fusing his fondness for the surreal with his love of the American car styling from the fifties.

Over the years, Corman has built a major body of work that reflects his desire to make unique cast art. His creations have been collected by such celebrities as Elton John, Stephen King and members of the pop-rock band Blondie. Corman currently resides in New Jersey where he sculpts full-time.

CLICK HERE TO SEE BERNARDO CORMAN'S CUSTOM GEARSHIFT KNOBS

artist website

CORMAN'S MEDIUMS:

Cast Bronze: This describes the making of a sculpture using the ancient 'Lost Wax Process'. First a model is made, then a mold, then a wax pattern, followed by a trip to the foundry where the metal casting is created by tiny, magical elves.

Cold Casting: Same basic thing as regular casting except the mold gets slushed with a mixture of powdered metal and a fiberglass gel-coat. This process is a little less involved than making a real bronze.
 
Cast Resin: Same basic procedure as cold casting without the addition of powdered metal. Garage and model kits are usually made with this material which is then painted.
 
Patina: Chemicals that get applied to a metal casting in order to add color and help preserve the sculpture

Bernardo Corman has shown at
C-pop in Detroit
L'Imagerie in Los Angeles
Carrazza in Ft. Lauderdale
Gallery 31 in Freehold NJ
Whimsy Blue in Las Vegas

Corman participates in the Concours D'Elegance, a  special interest car and antique show in East Hampton NY along with the Barrett Jackson,  a high-end automotive auction in Scottsdale, AZ.

BERNARDO CORMAN ARTIST STATEMENT:
Within the framework of so-called 'automotive art,' I have produced a variety of work exploring numerous themes. I have been primarily interested in Surrealism and have made works that conform to this genre. I'm particularly intrigued and inspired by Magritte's visual metaphors and his ability to infuse his work with an underlying spirit of mystery and humor. I have also been fascinated by magical realism, and feel that the results of pairing man made objects with natural or organic shapes, whether they're ornate goldfish or nebulous cloud forms yields simple yet powerful visual statements.