Enamel on copper
96 inches in diameter
1989
We have had the pleasure of engaging many artists over time to enhance KITP’s intellectual environment with their wonderfully inspirational pieces. One such artist is Joel Sansone, who, as a junior high school student, would doodle on the back of his history tests - “My test would always come back with a big fat F on the front, and a big A on the back,” he recalls. He went on to major in art at Bowling Green State University, where he discovered enamel as a medium. In 1977, Sansone set up his studio with his wife, Pamela, at the Los Angeles Cultural Center, where he was the only enamellist. After exhibiting his work at galleries across Los Angeles, he and Pamela opened their own studio and gallery in Los Olivos in 1996. The Sansones have welcomed customers to their gallery from 24 countries and nearly every US state.
In addition to his own gallery, Sansone has exhibited his work at the LACMA, the Armand Hammer Museum, Pacific Design Center, the Riverside Museum of Art and the Long Beach Museum of Art. Joel came to our attention during the construction of the Munger Residence, and I had the pleasure of working with him and his wife Pamela to locate Stellarscape within the building (requiring the relocation of an internal wall!) and hang the piece with the craftsman Mason Mill of the Towbes Group.
We reached out to Joel with a few questions in Summer 2023 to learn more about his inspirations, technique and current work.
What inspired you to bring Stellarscape to KITP?
“Stellarscape was displayed on a wall in our studio/gallery for many years. The artwork was enjoyed by many people. It was the main attraction in the gallery. As the years passed, I realized that Stellarscape needed to be exhibited in the proper setting for public viewing. I had known that UCSB was well known for its Physics Department and through various channels, I reached out to Chancellor Yang with a photo, bio, and other information about myself. My intentions were to donate the artwork to the University.
Sometime afterward, I was contacted by the Development Department informing me of the acceptance of Stellarscape. I was also told afterwards that the Charles T. Munger Physics Residence was to be built and that Stellarcape was considered for that location. During the eighteen months of construction, the artwork was crated and stored until the installation day. I couldn’t be more proud for Stellarscape to be displayed in such a beautiful environment.”
Could you tell us briefly about how you made Stellarscape?
“Vitreous enamel is an especially formulated glass that will fuse to copper, gold or silver in a kiln at approximately 1500 degrees Fahrenheit (1100 K for the physicists!). Multiple applications and firings and coolings are required to achieve the desired results. The enamel is available in ground glass, threads, lumps and granules. The type used for Stellarscape is ground to a very fine state and sifted onto the copper.
Vitreous enamel is a glass, whether transparent, opalescent, opaque, black, white or colors. When this glass is pulverized, applied in the dry state to copper, and fused to the base at temperatures about 1500 degrees Fahrenheit, it is known as vitreous enamel. After a short cooling period, additional enamel is applied to the surface and the piece is returned to the kiln.
Each enamel layer may require multiple firings until the desired results are obtained. Stellarscape started out many years ago as a great enameling adventure. That adventure continued for 17 months to completion. The work is created from 45 geometrically cut sheets of copper, an unknown quantity of vitreous enamel (ground glass) and approximately 500 firings in a kiln at 1500 degrees Fahrenheit. Stellarscape represents nebulae. The total size is 8 feet in diameter and divided into 3 sections. Although the artwork can fit completely together, I chose to separate 3 sections for a design feature.”
What are you working on now that relates to Stellarscape?
“During a conversation with a fellow artist a few years ago, I had mentioned that I had retired. He told me that artists don’t retire, they transition. I did just that. I transitioned from an enamellist artist to a painter. Although I have paintings of various subject matter, astronomical images are my favorite. I have been painting my interpretation of nebulae, moons, stars, planets and galaxies on canvas. Recently I have been experimenting on rock slabs, oval and round cobble rocks. I’m currently working on a boulder size elongated rock. The plan is to paint a nebulae and develop it into a vertical sculpture supported with a cradle type iron stand. It’s a thought process so far.”
Joel and his wife Pam were kind enough to stop by the Residence this summer and share three of these painted cobble rocks. One is now proudly displayed in my Kohn Hall office, while the others are in the main office and custodial break room at the Residence. Joel continues to inspire us all and cause many new conversations!
by Lars Bildsten
KITP Director