Title: Wise Guy
Artist: David Groenjes
Medium: Reclaimed Metal Sculpture
Dimensions: 12” L × 8” W × 27”
Price: $5,800
Availability: Original Artwork
Product Description:
Perched high and keeping a close eye on everything around him, Wise Guy is David Groenjes’ wonderfully detailed interpretation of the Great Horned Owl, handcrafted entirely from reclaimed metal and salvaged industrial materials.
Standing 27 inches tall, this one-of-a-kind sculpture captures the unmistakable silhouette and commanding presence of a Great Horned Owl. Groenjes builds the bird layer by layer, using curved and cut steel, gears, chain, saw-toothed metal, springs, hardware, and other mechanical components to create its feathers, wings, expressive face, powerful talons, and signature horned tufts.
The face is especially remarkable. Circular mechanical components form the owl’s large, watchful eyes, while overlapping pieces of steel create the facial disk and sharply defined brow. Below, individually layered pieces of weathered metal mimic the natural pattern of feathers, while coiled steel components become surprisingly convincing talons wrapped around the perch.
Even the pedestal becomes part of the sculpture. Heavy steel supports and expanded metal give Wise Guy an industrial foundation that complements the intricate construction of the owl above.
Natural rust, raw steel, weld marks, and varying patinas have been intentionally preserved, allowing the history of the reclaimed materials to remain visible. The result is unmistakably Groenjes: something mechanical transformed into something that suddenly feels very much alive.
Wise Guy has presence, personality, and enough hidden details to keep you looking. And judging by that expression, he probably knows exactly what you’re up to.
- Available exclusively through Ian Russell Gallery in Prescott, Arizona
