Inspired by an obsession with the ocean and a fascination with extravagant interiors of old churches, Adam Wallacavage transformed the dining room of his South Philadelphia Victorian brownstone into something from the pages of a Jules Verne novel.
Teaching himself the traditional craft of ornamental plastering, Wallacavage evolved his newfound skills into making plaster cast octopus-shaped chandeliers as the final touch to his underwater themed room. His idea for the use of octopi was inspired by Art Nouveau chandeliers—specifically, a glass jellyfish chandelier that he saw in a book.
Wallacavage's process for making the fixtures begins with creating a clay sculpture and then making latex molds of all of the parts. He casts the plaster around threaded pipe which gives strength to the sculpture and allows space for wires. Wallacavage paints the hardened molds and then coats them with a two-part epoxy resin to give them their glassy look.
Yup, that's Wallacavage-designed wallpaper.
In addition to his sculpture wizardry, Adam Wallacavage is also an accomplished photographer. He documents artists, musicians, daredevils and all things weird and wonderful. Wallacavage's first book, Monster Size Monsters (2006), spans fifteen years of his photography.
:images jonathan levine gallery and the selby; monster size monsters; wallacavage interview via life in a bungalo; © adam wallacavage.
