By Yoshini White
Ivan McLean is a sculptor who relocated from Mississippi to Linnton in 1995. Starting out in custom furniture and accessories, Ivan transitioned to sculpture in the early 2000s. His work can be found in the homes of art lovers across the country, but you will also recognize a number of his sculptures from around the city of Portland. The sculptures are made from an array of materials: glass, wood, stone, but primarily metals.
After contemplating a move to Portland, Ivan and his wife, Michelle, saw a “for sale” sign on a house in Linnton. Within 30 days, the couple moved into that home and have been continuously improving it ever since; raising their three daughters along the way.
One of Ivan’s favorite projects was in 2008 for the Nines Hotel, where he carved slabs of black walnut, kiln-fired nearly a ton of glass, and hammered a significant amount of bronze to make a large installation for their lobby. His work for State Farm’s headquarters in Atlanta is another source of pride for the artist. “I had to build it here, break it into seven pieces so it would fit on my trailer, drive cross-country, and then reassemble. I often make long road trips for installations as I like to make sure pieces arrive safely, and art collectors are wonderful people who are always fun to get to know.”
Ivan’s shop is located across the river at Green Anchors, a location he’s dubbed, “a do-it-yourself industrial/fun park where I’ve been happier and more productive than ever.” He invites you all to come to check out his shop at 8940 N Bradford, next to the boat launch in St. Johns. You can find Ivan’s work all over the internet, but be sure to follow him on Instagram for his most up-to-date pieces: @ivanmcleanart.
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