Bio-Permutation Sculptures by David Isenhour
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David Isenhour’s sculptures reflect his interest in genetic research, science fiction, cartoons and popular culture. While the polished pastel forms that hang from the gallery walls strike an initial humorous note, there is an underlying bizarre and ominous quality present in several of the works. Like genetic experiments gone awry the results are sometimes strange, other worldly mutations. Isenhour integrates both human features that he has cast from life with synthetic taxidermy eyes and teeth from various animals. In the work Unnatural Selection, embedded within a mint-green cloud is a grouping of realistic smiling faces. The work comments on the ability of science and medicine to induce happiness through chemical means. In another work, two clenched fists protrude from a bubble-gum pink muscular mass as if wrestling their way out of the suffocating form. The artist sculpts his compositions out of polyiso foam and polyester resin, coats the forms with automotive paint, and finishes with layers of high-gloss urethane. Isenhour combines science fiction fantasy with the possibility of negative consequences resulting from scientific inquiry.

David Isenhour received his Master of Fine Arts degree from Michigan State University and is currently Professor of Art at the University of Central Florida.