June Corley

While making a living as an advertising art director and graphic designer, I gradually collected a lot of wonderful old stuff.
I was particularly attracted to three categories that were (and still are) very visually pleasing to me — old signage letters,
vintage letterpress printing type and found objects that resembled faces. My vast collections were displayed throughout my
Atlanta home and office where they provided daily eye treats. Then I, along with all my old stuff, moved.

As I unpacked boxes at my new place, the letters and found objects became jumbled together and serendipity took over.
Certain found objects and faces appeared custom made to go with certain letters and type, almost begging to be put
together. So I proceeded to do just that, combining this object with that letter and before long I was surrounded with a
dozen sculptures. They were quite likable and entertaining to have around, so I made more.

Over 90 sculptures later, they continue to almost create themselves, with letters and objects moving around until the right
combination appears. Of course, the skills I practiced as an art director and graphic designer — visual problem solving and
lateral thinking — can’t help but come into play (literally) during the process. I always loved playing with type in design but
certainly never expected to be playing with it like this! Giving myself the parameters (and challenge) of using letters and
type as the basis to create the sculptures helps me stay focused. My goal is to be imaginative while keeping each
combination as pure as possible. Watching lifeless old letters and type become alive and animated
in a finished sculpture never fails to delight me and I can’t wait to finish the next one. I’m
also excited about some other ideas I have of things to make with old letters and type.

There’s something so rewarding in elevating a lowly discarded object to a higher level
never expected, in revealing the extraordinary in the ordinary. Doing it with used
graphic signage letters and letterpress type adds a unique
dimension that I find especially satisfying. In a way, it feels
like all my experiences as an art director, graphic designer,
craftsperson and observer of life have been synthesized
into the creation of the sculptures.

All that said, when others see the sculptures and smile,
that’s what it’s really all about.