Steampunk art exhibit Nantucket
by Suzanne Daub
In our town known for its historic authenticity and vibrant arts scene, The Gallery at Four India is hosting a captivating exhibit of exceptional craftsmanship featuring imaginative Steampunk sculptures of renowned artist Bruce Rosenbaum. This exhibit offers a look into a fantastical and ornate universe not often seen in Nantucket galleries.
Few artists have captured the emotional essence of this art movement as masterfully as Bruce Rosenbaum, often called the “Steampunk Guru.” Rosenbaum has transformed Steampunk from costume play into high art and functional design. The fantasy elements of his intricate sculptural pieces give them a definite WOW factor.
What sets Rosenbaum apart is his deep respect for both historical authenticity and modern utility. He sources genuine antique components, often spending months hunting for the perfect brass fittings or mechanical elements. This commitment to authenticity gives his work an emotional weight that modern fabrication cannot match—each piece carries the patina and history of its components.
Steampunk art captured the imagination of Kathleen Knight, art expert, collector, and owner of Gallery at Four India: “Ten years ago I brought the work of Bruce Rosenbaum to my gallery after seeing his mechanical whale at The Nantucket Hotel. I was so interested in knowing more about the artist and contacted him for a visit to his studio. That was the most amazing visit!” she explained. Rosenbaum’s home was “total Steampunk…he was living in the past of the Industrial Era with gas lamps, coal stoves, furnishings—even his attire was Victorian… it was a trip to the past.
“Soon after my visit, I attended his museum show at the Springfield Museum. It was the most exciting exhibition of time machines …hundreds of steampunk artists attended dressed in top hats, eye binoculars, Victorian clothing… I was hooked on bringing the art to my gallery. It was a mind-blowing exhibit, as most of the art back in 2014 was traditional painting. I can remember people wondering what the heck was I doing?” Knight reminisced.
“After many years, Bruce wandered back to my gallery last summer as he was visiting with Niles Parker at The Nantucket Whaling Museum to discuss a possible Steampunk installation in the museum for the near future. I invited him to bring back Steampunk to my gallery, and this season I have three unique sculptures to reintroduce the artist and the movement of Steampunk.
Rosenbaum has described Steampunk Art as an integration of history, art, and technology, with a sense of fantasy to tie it together. “It’s a sort of ‘what if’ — what if there had been modern technology during the Victorian Age…it’s about fusing the two periods.”
On Nantucket, where so many of the homes are historic and designed for coastal charm, a Steampunk accent can add a provocative touch. There’s an emotional warmth to these pieces that stems from their tactile nature and obvious craftsmanship. It’s an aesthetic that evokes a sense of wonder and possibility that modern technology often obscures: where contemporary devices hide their complexity behind smooth screens and seamless cases, Steampunk art displays its inner workings.
The warm metallic tones of brass and copper that define Steampunk aesthetics complement both traditional and modern color palettes. These pieces work beautifully against deep jewel tones, rich woods, and even stark white walls where they can serve as sculptural statements with character and craftsmanship—focal points that tell a story and spark conversation. And in the hands of masters like Bruce Rosenbaum, steampowered dreams become tangible realities with beauty, function, and story.
As May blossoms into June, art lovers can see works by a variety of new artists in the Gallery at Four India, including Sherre Wilson Lilegren, Robert Frazier, Barbara Bailey-Porter, David Aiazzi, Walter Horak, and Mauro Puccitelli. These creatives join the more than seven dozen painters, sculptors, photographers, glass artists, and craftpeople who exhibit regularly in Gallery at Four India.
The Gallery at Four India began in 1989 as a place where Knight could exhibit her collecting interests and to showcase artworks ahead of the curve. As Kathleen Knight says “I have had the pleasure of showcasing artworks from the Hudson River School, American Impressionist, Modernism, Abstract, Post War, Pop Art, Contemporary Fine Art Glass, and there is more to discover and exhibit.”
Watch for announcements of upcoming exhibits on GalleryatFourIndia.com and follow Kathleen @thegallerynantucket.
