Cast Nickel and Agate Table Sculpture by Josef Petriska

Canada, circa 1970

A table sculpture featuring a black marble base, onto which sits a modernist abstract natural form in cast polished nickel with a mounted piece of agate.

Measurements:
width: 7.5"
depth: 4"
height: 10.25"

Josef Petriska was born in Semlac, Western Romania on March 15, 1929.  He was the son of a steel worker and one of 9 children.  Josef was always good with his hands and in 1938, young Josef travelled with his school to watch the Romanian sculptor, Constantin Brâncuși, the Father of Modern Sculpture, install his 'Endless Column' in Targu Jiu.  Completely captivated by watching Brâncuși work, Josef decided he also wanted to create and from then on, started experimenting and exploring his artistic abilities.  His first commission was a 12 m x 12 m mural in Glogovat, Romania when he was 13 years old.  Josef was attending technical school in Arad while World War 2 was in full effect.  Two years after the Soviet invasion, Josef's mother feared for him because of his outspokenness, and urged him to flee Romania.  

 In 1966, Josef moved to Hollywood, California to start a business in the aerospace sector with his brother, and provided machined parts and components to the Jet Propulsion Laborartory. He witnessed first hand the Santa Barbara Oil Spill and then decided to dedicate his life to promoting environmental awareness by using his artwork as the medium to convey his messages. 

Petriska sculpted in various metals, but mainly with silver nickel and bronze.  He was commissioned by private corporations and government. Josef passed away peacefully at home one week after his 86th birthday on March 23rd 2015.