Occasionally, an artist comes along that pushes the boundaries against their own limitations, enabling their work to stand the test of time and resonate with future generations. Sculptor Kevin Box is exactly that kind of artist. With his show, Rays of Hopeat Altamira Fine Art in Jackson, Wyoming, Box’s work embodies the human condition as it is and challenges the notions of what it could be.
Kevin Box, Lifting Together, ed. 2 of 12, patinated cast bronze and painted cast stainless steet, 45 x 12 x 10". Collaboration with Jennifer Box.
As a small-town kid from Oklahoma, Box never could run fast or do math, but he could draw and was encouraged to pursue art from a young age. As a teenager, he spent summers in Atlanta, apprenticing at his uncle’s graphic design company and was guided to take his career in that direction. He attended the School of Visual Arts in New York City and, while there, took an art history class that impacted him in an unexpected way.
Kevin Box, Rays of Hope 1, ed. of 12, painted cast aluminum, 49 x 39 x 2"
“Art history changed my life because it predates history, which is typically written by the winners of war,” says Box. “Art history predates all of that.” Suddenly, everything clicked. Art history was human history. This revelation influenced him to change course from graphic design to fine art but, after observing an archeological dig in Greece, he knew he did not want to work with a paper medium anymore. He was struck by how fragile and easily discarded it could be.
Up until that point, Box understood that paper was an integral part of culture. His mother was an archivist who talked about the archival nature of paper and its power within contemporary history. But now, Box could not reconcile its fragility and turned his efforts towards materials that have the durability to tell the story he wanted to tell. Through years of experimentation, he figured out how he could make paper last forever by casting it in bronze, creating a realistic illusion that both delights and challenges people.
Kevin Box, Fish of 10,000 Folds, ed. 9 of 50, painted cast bronze, 6½ x 17 x 7¾". Collaboration with Robert J. Lang.
In Rays of Hope, Box showcases this ingenious and signature technique with new pieces that aim to offer gallery-goers an opportunity to explore diverse interpretations and start conversations that will carry over into future generations. The title sculpture, Rays of Hope 1, echoes the folds and creases of his past works, creating a single star, like a beacon of light, shining brightest when something is made from nothing and can displace the darkness of the world outside.
“Kevin Box’s work invites us to pause and reflect—not just on the artistry of folded form, but on the deeper symbolism behind each crease and contour,” says Altamira Fine Art owner Jason Williams. “His sculptures speak to transformation, permanence and the surprising strength of delicacy. We’re honored to present his new body of work, which continues to push the boundaries of what bronze and aluminum can convey in the language of origami.”
Kevin Box, Courting Cranes, painted cast bronze on marble, ed. 4 of 50, 14 x 16½ x 12". Collaboration with Robert J. Lang.
The extraordinary pieces in this show relate to all dimensions of humanity, creating an eclectic exhibition curated to encourage viewers to sift through the chaos of the world, take charge of their own story, and create something with light when everything feels so dark.
Rays of Hope opens July 15 with an opening reception on July 17 from 5 to 7 p.m., and remains on view through July 29. —
Altamira Fine Art 172 Center Street • Jackson, WY 83001 • (307) 739-4700 • www.altamiraart.com
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