Carving Contours
A solo show featuring the works of Lucas Elmer
Lucas Elmer lives and works in Santa Cruz, California. He graduated from the University of California Santa Cruz and currently works there as a sculpture and foundry staff research associate in the art department. For the past decade, Elmer has spent his summers working as a commercial salmon fisherman in Bristol Bay, Alaska.
The work of Lucas Elmer is inspired by oceanic lifestyles, drawing on processes and subject matter rooted in maritime tradition and classic American iconography. Surfing, fishing, and boating have instilled in him a deep appreciation for the ocean and the cultures that surround these environments. These interpretations and perspectives are expressed through his sculptures and prints.
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Elmer utilizes old-world techniques to honor a time when craftsmanship was abundant, in contrast to today’s excess of disposable goods. Working in traditional media such as bronze casting, woodcarving, lithography, and woodcuts allows him to create multiple originals while preserving material authenticity. Discarded raw materials—including wood, metal, and paper—are often reclaimed and given new purpose through the work. Through this practice, Elmer aims to foster a broader public appreciation for craftsmanship and to reinforce the continued importance of these traditions in contemporary society.
