Suspended between strength and movement, Ballerina transforms reclaimed mechanical parts into a figure that feels caught in the middle of a dance.
The sculpture’s upper form is built from welded nuts, washers, circular steel plates, springs, and chain. These rigid industrial components are arranged into a distinctly feminine silhouette, then interrupted by open spaces that allow light to pass through the body. The result is a figure that feels substantial without becoming visually heavy.
At the waist, layered expanded metal creates a dramatic tutu. Its uneven folds and open mesh soften the hard geometry of the hardware above it while still preserving the raw character of the material. Below the skirt, long steel rods form the legs. One extends downward while the other reaches outward into a bent pose, creating the tension and balance associated with a dancer holding a movement for a single suspended moment.
Deep blue, black, and violet finishes unify the sculpture while allowing polished edges, threaded interiors, and weld details to catch the light. Rather than hiding the origins of the materials, Dana lets each nut, spring, washer, rod, and chain link remain recognizable. Their previous purpose is still present, but together they become something expressive, poised, and unexpectedly graceful.
Ballerina captures one of the central ideas behind Metalwood Garage: strength does not have to be rigid, and industrial material does not have to feel cold. In Dana’s hands, steel can bend, balance, and dance.
