Lumenary - Artist & Gallery Network

Kalean Thorne

📍Macomb, Michigan, United States

I’m Kaelen Thorne, and I don’t just work with metal—I wrestle with it. My focus is on creating sculptural and functional pieces that prove that steel, iron, and copper are not cold or rigid, but hold an incredible capacity for warmth, narrative, and movement. The Philosophy My journey started not in a fancy art school, but with a deep fascination for things that are built to last. I'm self-taught, meaning every scar, every weld, and every polished curve in my work comes from countless hours of trial and error in my own shop, which I affectionately call "The Crucible." My work is driven by a simple idea: finding the poetry in brute force. I love the dynamic tension between industrial roughness and organic shape. You’ll often see my pieces balancing high-shine, intricate detail with raw, hammer-marked textures. I believe in showing the history of the build—the weld lines aren't hidden; they’re often highlighted to tell the story of how the piece came to be. The Process When I start a piece, I don’t just sketch it out; I have a conversation with the material itself. I use traditional techniques like forging, welding, and repoussé (hammering metal into relief), relying on the heat of the forge and the sheer physical effort of the hammer. It's a loud, messy, and intensely focused process. I’m also a relentless scavenger. I incorporate salvaged components—discarded gears, old architectural fittings, and tool fragments—into much of my sculpture. Giving these forgotten objects a second, more meaningful life is a core part of my process. The metal dictates the flow, and my job is to respect its nature while coaxing it into a new, compelling form. The Work My pieces have found homes as custom outdoor installations, large-scale wall art, and unique functional objects in private collections across the country. Every finished work gets a deep, rich patina—an aged finish that enhances the drama of the metal and makes the piece truly tactile. I’m currently focused on a new collection, 'The Anvil's Echo,' where I'm exploring how massive, silent power can be conveyed through the manipulation of a material that is, at its heart, completely unyielding. When you look at my work, I want you to feel the heat of the fire, the ring of the hammer, and the dedication that made it all happen.

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