Meet Cory Ricaurte-Whelan | Sculptor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cory Ricaurte-Whelan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cory, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Artists take a lot of risk; deciding to be an artist is a risk in itself. I feel like risk is necessary to go where you want to go. There is lots at stake every time I start on a new sculpture or head to an exhibition. Risk is a learning opportunity, and necessary.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
All of my art is made from stainless steel. I cut and form every piece, welding everything together to create the sculpture. I mostly focus on nature, specifically flowers and insects. I enjoy making them larger than life. I have recently enjoyed creating new designs completely. Over the years, I have made my own tools, so the steel can be formed in ways others can’t. Most of the processes were trial and error, thousands of hours placed me where I am today.
I’ve had a very supportive upbringing, but nothing is ever easy. I was barely cutting even for the first 2 years of this adventure. Persistence has payed off, and I do this full time and display my art across the US.
The journey will be different for every artist. If I had to give advice, I would say to communicate and get closer to the artists in the community that work in the same medium as you. Don’t be afraid to cold call or message an artist you look up to.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I live in a small town a little further than an hour south of Nashville, TN. Here are some of my favorite spots in the surrounding areas.

Starting in Nashville, you can’t skip Noko. One of my favorite restaurants in the US, and the friendliest group of people. I would also recommend Mckay’s, a warehouse of new and used physical media like books, vinyl, and movies. Lastly for Nashville, I’d recommend Game Terminal, a free arcade that serves drinks and has a huge outdoor space.

Next, I would go to Columbia, TN. You have to stop by Mama Mila’s, some of the best Italian you’ll ever have. Take a walk around the Columbia Arts District, where you’ll fine some great public art, including several sculptures I’ve created. There’s almost too much to list in Columbia, you’ll definitely find something amazing.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My entire family consists of artists in different forms. My father and brother are also sculptors, my aunt is a painter, one of my uncles works in acrylic. Other artists in the community help me keep pushing to make more intricate art.

Website: www.coryfineart.com

Instagram: @coryfineart