Late 20th century, hand-formed metal wire in the form of a hanging fish, unsigned.

21 x 35 in.

Somerhill Gallery, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Wilmington, North Carolina artist Michael Van Hout has made significant contributions to the arts in his community including the Arlie Gardens Bottle Chapel, installations for the Fort Fisher Aquarium, and leading courses for children at the Dreams Center. Van Hout found his career as a sculpture artist in college while working for the grounds crew at his university. He would collect the wires that bound pine straw bails and construct figures out of them. His enjoyment in the craft led him to declare a BSA in sculpture.

Today, he creates sculptures organically in his studio, using a variety of mediums. His sculptures are often in motion and embrace a fascination with animals, anatomy, and nostalgia.

Intentional oxidizing to wire, a few minor abrasions to the finish.