About Scott

Currently I work predominantly in steel. Through bending, forging, and welding steel round stock, I create three dimensional line drawings. The lines are not continuous; they bend, turn, and disappear behind empty spaces that allude to the existence of three-dimensional forms that do not actually exist. The shift of shape between what is physically present and what is not is essential in my work. Permeability of implied surfaces mirrors our contemporary existence, much of which takes place in a virtual world; everything is simultaneously opaque and  transparent, interconnected and layered.

A graduate of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Scott Runion creates sculpture out of a variety of materials. He left the harsh winters and difficulties associated with transporting materials in the city and moved to a ten-acre farm in the San Joaquin Valley of California. Scott worked with wood gathered from local orchards for many years, but now primarily works in steel. 


Steel bar allows for the creation of line drawings in three dimensions. His work takes on shapes forming a figurative presence; yet, physically the sculptures remain mostly empty permeable space. His sculpture exists as object and shadow with both real and implied lines to create  three-dimensional forms. He tends to use strong colors applied by electro-static powder coat that bakes pigments on providing an industrial finish. His work has a strong element of social commentary influenced by his study of mythology, psychology, comparative religion, and environmental concerns.


Scott working on a new sculpture

Scott received a Fulbright Scholarship to India where he studied wood carving for a year and a half in a small village north of Mumbai culminating in a one-man show at the Jehangir Gallery in Bombay. He has transitioned to working in steel and has had several large scale public commissions.   


Currently he works full time creating studio art for private collectors. 

To contact Scott, email scotthrunion@gmail.com.