Chris Bathgate
Christopher Locke
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to hold alien fusion core technology in your hand? Chris Bathgate may be the artist to make your dreams come true. He's a metalworker, computer genius, machinist, and wizard. I suspect he may be a refugee from another planet, hiding out in Baltimore, slowly building some kind of device to harness all of Earth's energy.
Some may look at his work and say "he's just making weird-looking things with cutting-edge technology." But to me, that's a perfect description of any good artist.
His work is solid in material, bold in design, and breathtaking in craftsmanship. His website is like machine-porn with a cherry on top. And every time I email him, I get a response filled with respect, thoughtfulness, and insight. He cares about his work, and he cares about his fans. I have nothing but respect for this man. I wish I lived closer to him, just so I could buy him a steak.
Most of his pieces are so large and complex, I could never afford them. But every once in a while, he makes a few smaller pieces that fit in the palm of his hand. I've been lucky enough to purchase two of them, and I look forward to owning a third.
The photos show the two pieces from my collection, but I strongly encourage you to click THIS LINK RIGHT HERE (or either of the photos) to check out his website. Be careful, though. Looking at his website may make you lose interest in the rest of the world for the next hour, or make you late to whatever you need to do today.
