Walls of the World

Walls of the World

Journey to the old world.  Stroll down a quiet Mediterranean street on a sunny day, admiring the weathered edifices that have endured for centuries.   Absorb the layers of history and waves of civilization that made the place what it is today.  Admire the details, textures and colors, all worn by the passage of time and enriched by nature’s palette.   These are wall sculptures created from real images from real places; frozen-in-time architectural details that can be read like museum artifacts.  There is beauty where man, nature and time converge.  These “fragments” capture that in-the-moment beauty like a snapshot, representing not just an edifice, but also the character of the place where it exists.  It’s about sharing the charm and elegance of historic architecture, the mellowing effects of time and nature, and the love of travel and exploration.

The Story

Jackson began the series in 1986 as an artistic way of representing some of the notable places on his travels.  The original idea was to capture the character of an entire town or city in a single artwork by depicting an example its crumbling walls, torn posters and sometimes even graffiti.  What started as a series of pastel and pencil drawings on paper evolved first into oil on canvas paintings, then to mixed media three-dimensional wall sculpture, which is where the series is at today.  Thanks to modern, lightweight, high-density foam board, it’s now possible to sculpt these “artifacts” in three dimensions, paint them in layers, and hang them on any interior wall with just one screw.

The Process

Each wall sculpture begins with a photograph of a building chosen for its unique features such as architectural detail, patina and/or weathering effects of nature.  Sketches are made and the material is cut to the rough shape required.  Mouldings are fabricated using the same material and applied to the sculpture.  The piece is then hand-carved and textured with an assortment of tools until the desired three-dimensional look is achieved, then balanced and fitted with a saw tooth plate on the backside for flush hanging on the wall.  Finally, the sculpture is sealed and multiple layers of paint are used to build up the surface colors and patina.

How to Purchase

Currently, all artworks are purchased and shipped directly from Jackson’s Toronto studio.  Use the Wall Sculpture Purchase page to get a shipping quote on any of the works shown.  Your piece will be carefully packed and shipped along with mounting hardware and instructions.  Alternatively, commissions are welcome for one or a series of sculptures in any size to suit your space, whether it’s residential or commercial.  Artworks depicting buildings from specific locations are also available upon request.  Contact Dean to discuss the many options to enhance your space with these one of a kind artistic creations.

Journey to the old world.

Walls of the World