Abstract Metal Sculptures
Abstract metal sculpture by Corey Ellis works through gesture, surface, and weight rather than literal form. Many of the pieces in this series echo the human body or natural movement - twisting copper, flowing steel - without naming either.
What this work is
The abstract work in Corey's studio is where the material is loudest. Welded copper folds against blackened steel ribbons; surfaces are oxidized, scorched, or polished in passages. Pieces are read as much by their shadows as by the metal itself.
The abstract series sits inside a long welded-sculpture tradition - David Smith, Theodore Roszak, the mid-century studio sculptors who made gesture out of steel rather than out of paint.
Corey's abstract pieces extend that lineage into the present: figures pulled out of masonry-nail fields, geometric panels that compress and release across the wall, and surfaces that change with the light in the room.
What makes a Corey Ellis piece in this style
- Masonry-nail fields welded into figurative and abstract gestures.
- Layered geometric panels with depth read as much by shadow as by metal.
- Twisting copper or steel ribbons that turn the silhouette through the day.
- Surfaces left intentionally raw, oxidized, or polished in selective passages.
What the work is built from
Welded by the thousand into figurative and gestural forms.
For warm tonal passages and patina depth.
Structural backbone for layered geometric pieces.
When the work needs contrast across the surface.
Who this style is for
- Collectors of contemporary abstract art.
- Designers commissioning a non-representational focal piece.
- Hospitality and gallery spaces that want gesture without subject.
- Homeowners drawn to surface and shadow.
Spaces this style anchors
- Great rooms and double-height walls that benefit from a single gesture.
- Galleries and curated residential collections.
- Hospitality lobbies, restaurant feature walls, spa entrances.
- Stair landings where the piece reads from multiple angles.
From the studio
Sizing, finish, and how to brief the studio
Abstract commissions range from intimate wall studies under 24 inches to architectural pieces spanning 10 feet or more. Mounting depth, weight, and projection from the wall are designed to the install location.
Send the wall dimensions, photos at different times of day, and any reference - Corey's archive, work from other artists, or simply a feeling. Abstract briefs benefit from talking about the room's mood as much as the size of the wall.
Frequently asked
- What does Corey mean by abstract?
- Form pulled away from literal subject - gesture, surface, and shadow doing the work. Many pieces echo the human body or natural movement without naming it.
- Are abstract pieces always large?
- No. Abstract work scales from intimate wall pieces to architectural installs. Scale is decided per project.
- How are figurative abstract works (like Bella) built?
- Pieces like Bella are welded from thousands of individual elements - in Bella's case, masonry nails - one at a time. The figure emerges from the field rather than being cast or carved.
- Can abstract pieces be commissioned to match a palette?
- Yes. Patina, oxidation, polish, and selective enamel passages let the work tune to the room's existing tones without becoming literal.
- Do abstract sculptures ship safely?
- Yes. Each piece is custom crated. For delicate or large-format work, white-glove freight and on-site install support are quoted per project.
Related work and pages
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Share dimensions, space, and any imagery that inspires the project. Corey reviews every inquiry personally.