Using a variety of collected and discarded materials, Yorke Graham reimagines them into engaging and fine works of metal art.
Inspired by his West Coast upbringing and love of the ocean, Vancouver artist, Yorke Graham creates art that is a reflection of his passion for nature and his lively, fun-loving imagination. Yorke enjoys the challenge of working with both cherished mementos and objects often forgotten or destined to be destroyed. It is in this place that Yorke’s whimsical, unique and thought-provoking pieces come to life. The physicality of the process comes from the heart of Yorke’s patient and creative nature; from the hunt for interesting materials, to the process of designing, cutting, bending and fitting, to the final welding of each uniquely crafted work of art. Each piece is evidence of Yorke’s mischievous sense of humour, playful attention to detail and extraordinary design aesthetic.
Yorke seeks out vintage and scrapyard finds, trash and treasures, as a way to revisit the past and reimagine it for the present. Exploring both invention and recollection, each piece of art comes to life in amusing and unexpected ways.
“I love how the materials I find, have their own history and backstory, and how with some revisions, I work them into a new piece, to give birth to a new story. Although the process of creating an organic subject from inorganic, somewhat harsh components, can be challenging, it is very rewarding.”
Yorke’s passion to explore the new possibilities of the antiquated materials he uses, ignites his ability to mold, weld and weave each creation with a new identity.
It is Yorke’s aspiration that his art will inspire you to revisit your own treasured memories, to view discarded objects in a new light, and to ultimately bring a smile to your face :)