September 21, 2005

Full Metal Racket

David Tonnesen Sculptures

Yard art? Generally not such a good thing. Usually the domain of backwoods goobers and grandmas with a soft spot for gnomes.

All such bets are off once you’re talking about the metal sculptures of local artist David Tonnesen, the guy behind such commercial mega-projects as the giant (and mesmerizing) whirling fish outside Legal Sea Foods  and the dueling roosters that flank Sibling Rivalry.

But he also makes designs on a smaller, far less expensive (under $100) scale for individual residences. And they’re all knockouts — everything from beautiful, vaguely tortured-looking chandeliers to oversize steel wind chimes and trippy, swirling garden sculptures.

No matter how small the piece or price, Tonnesen personally sees the project through from design to installation, tweaking every last detail to perfection.

Nice to know your don’t need to be a zillionaire to have such innovation and meticulous artistry.

And right in your own backyard.

David Tonnesen (617-666-9883 or davidtonnesen.com).