504fly

Location: Central West End

Sponsor: Cooper Bussmann

Artist: Rob Corley

While attending Tulane University Medical School and living in New Orleans, Rob began to ponder a use for the colorful beads remaining once the Mardi Gras festivities ended. When away from his work as Executive Director of St. Joseph Health Center Emergency Room, he is encrusting artwork and furniture with beads creating a more permanent way to enjoy the fun.

Inspiration:

When I lived in New Orleans, I was always fascinated with the vibrant shimmering beads that were so prized during Mardis Gras, but lay discarded when the festivities were over. It seemed to me that there was no reason for the fun to stop, so I started developing my own art with these beads – a perfect reflection of the folk art soul of the New Orleans I loved.

For my butterfly, the brilliantly colored beads became my medium. The colors and details began to follow wherever my mind led them. Each day I’d add new colors and styles into the mix, and I was excited to see the design unfold on a large, three-dimensional scale. It was even more rewarding to roll it out at the end of the day to allow it to sparkle in the sun.

GOING TO AUCTION 5/21/11