Mackenzie Thorpe
Love in The Forest, 2012.
Limited edition stainless steel on a round granite base.
Signed and numbered at the base.

“I enjoy working in stainless steel because I love the finish; it really excites me. There is nowhere to hide; the finish has to be absolutely perfect. It feels like you can see the whole world in it” – Mackenzie Thorpe.
In this wonderful sculpture, a single figure pulls a huge heart behind him while traversing a dense forest. He is just coming over the top of a hill and is surrounded on every side by a thicket of tall trees. The figure is depicted in Thorpe’s signature style, with a hooded duffle coat and big, sturdy shoes. He has no face; he is meant to represent everyone, regardless of race, age, gender, or background.

Thorpe believes that life is a journey with many challenges along the way. We know when we are born; someone tells us the date and time, but we do not see the end. There are ups and downs, good times and bad times, just like the hill, the central figure in this artwork must climb. Thorpe believes our job is to keep the world going for the next generation and always bring love on the journey.

The trees in this piece are a metaphor. Thorpe wants to communicate that we must push through, even when the trees turn into prison bars, and it seems we can’t continue. The figure feels trapped and is looking for a way out. Sometimes, the best choice is the hardest to continue pushing through when you know where you are headed. We could cut down all the trees and smash through the forest, or we could realize that the wood could be utilized in a new way. It could give us a house, a fire to keep us warm, and fruit and life to carry on our journey. The trees are strong, and Thorpe wanted them to represent his family members. He firmly believes that the two most important things in life are love and family; They are all we need and can get us through anything. The reflective stainless steel material lets viewers see themselves literally in the piece. Thorpe likes to create artwork with a participatory factor so the viewers can picture themselves in a situation like the figure in the artwork. They can remember when they had to continue, even though it seemed difficult or impossible, where challenges popped up on every side.

Mackenzie Thorpe – Off The Wall Gallery, Houston, Texas.