Education & Practice

Curriculum Vitae

Rebecca Wallace
Reba at work
Reba at work

About the Artist

My name is Rebecca — also known as Reba — and I’ve been in school for many years and for different avenues of careers. Art has always been a part of my life, and when I pursued an educational goal that wasn’t in the art field, something felt like it was missing. I realized I couldn’t live a life without a passion that fulfilled me.

Throughout my lifetime I had suffered — but also learned — from different types of heartbreak, as we all do, because we are human. Heartache ranged from the complications that can occur in romantic relationships, long-term friendships, sisterhood, and the most recent, the loss of my mother. Without even realizing it, art became a way of expressing these hardships: protection of the heart and the pursuit of reopening it.


Artist Statement

“I use antlers in my art as a way to adorn and protect oneself — the symbolism doesn’t hold any hierarchy in my work.”

I use different types of animal parts as symbolism in my work. Many of these animals resemble strength and protection. I use antlers in my art as a way to adorn and protect oneself regardless of the fact that antlers are found on a male stag. The symbolism, whether it’s inspired from a male or female, doesn’t hold any hierarchy in my work. I use shapes that are my personal renditions of the heart — the primary symbol for love. My work signifies protecting oneself as well as being open to receiving love, reiteratively.

I appreciate the malleable qualities of different types of metal. I modify the metal into unique sculptures in small scales. Multifaceted in different realms of craftsmanship, I use these learned skills to create bold statement pieces that can be appreciated by a vast audience. Combining segments of the human form and elements of nature, my homologous designs give the audience a sense of transcendence.

My purpose is to inspire men and women alike to appreciate the qualities of what’s to be considered masculine and feminine in my work. I hope to encompass the beauty that can be found in human and animal forms with my wearable sculptures. My aspiration is to create artwork that feels empowering when being admired or worn.


Education

2018 – 2021

San Jose State University

BFA in Spatial Art with an emphasis in Metalsmithing, Spring 2021. Obtained the President’s Scholar Award, honoring 4.0 students. Skills developed:

Forging

Soldering

Lost Wax Casting

Annealing

TIG Welding

MIG Welding

Surfboard Ding Repair

2010 – 2017

Cabrillo College

Associates in Studio Art emphasizing Small Scale Metals and Jewelry. Metalwork showcased in the Cabrillo Gallery; received several scholarships. Lost wax casted sculpture featured at Cabrillo’s Annual Student Exhibition bronze pour demonstration, 2017.

2002 – 2006

City College of San Francisco

Associates Degree in Liberal Arts. Changed career paths from Fashion Design — a pivotal turn toward a lifelong pursuit of sculptural metalwork.