Charles Sherman - The Infinity Ring

Los Angeles-based sculptor and jewelry designer Charles Sherman was born in Atlantic City, New Jersey in 1947. His work is informed by a lifelong study of ancient civilizations, world cultures and religions. The forms he creates are minimalist, conceptual and inspired by sacred geometry. His philosophy of life and art has always been the same: to promote the positive.

Since 2002 Sherman has investigated sculptural forms that express the concept of infinity, especially the three dimensional Möbius ring and variations of the Tetrahedron form. He works in clay using the most primitive sculpture tools. His ceramic sculptures are hand-built using coil or slab construction. Sometimes he applies glass mosaic to ceramic or wood constructions. Some sculptures are transformed into cast bronze, stainless steel or welded stainless steel. In 2006 he began translating his sculptural forms into sterling silver and gold jewelry designs.

Sherman's philosophy of life and art are the same: to promote the positive. His intention is to elevate the spirit of the viewer.

The Infinity Ring: My Inspiration and Process
The continuum of planes that create my Infinity Ring sculptures and jewelry designs are inspired by the Möbius Strip; a form first formulated by the 19th century German mathematician and astronomer, A. F. Möbius. The Infinity Ring form has no beginning and no end. The bottom side becomes the top side and the inside becomes the outside. Touch any point on the edge with your fingertip and trace its circular form. After completing a few revolutions you'll eventually end up at the point where you first started. The continuum form is also the same principle that Dutch graphic artist M.C. Escher used to explore infinity and the reversal of positive and negative forms in space.

The methods by which I construct my ceramic Infinity Ring sculptures were formulated after many years of investigating various processes. After many trials and errors, I have developed several different coil and slab building techniques to create three-dimensional clay continuums. Because the Infinity Ring sculptures sometimes collapse during the building process or implode while being fired in the kiln, their creation is both costly and time consuming. The sculptures are not only innovative and unique, each Infinity Ring is a rare creative achievement. Although my main body of work is ceramic, after experimenting with a variety of materials, I've begun using additional mediums to create the sculptures, including bronze, glass mosaic, aluminum, stainless steel, Lucite, sterling silver, and gold. Each material adds another dimension to the spirit of the ring.

The Infinity Ring is more than just a vehicle for me to explore the creative process. My intention with this artistic vision is to reveal personal and universal truths. The Infinity Ring sculptures are where my art and personal spiritual growth interconnect. Each stimulates the other in a continuous process of overcoming artistic challenges and creating inner spiritual growth. The infinity ring form is enigmatic and mysterious, and a form of absolute beauty. Paralleling ancient Feng Shui principles, the never-ending circular nature of the Infinity Ring promotes infinite love, healing, abundance, harmony, and serenity.
God is a Verb
“Dead Sea Scrolls / Contemporary Art”, San Diego Natural History Museum, San Diego, California