Ferrari Slipstream

The instant a Formula 1 car hits full speed, it's already gone — this sculpture exists to hold onto that instant. Ferrari Slipstream, one of the larger works in Richard Pietruska's body of sculpture, depicts the speed and motion associated with Ferrari's Formula 1 cars. The piece measures approximately 60" x 12" x 6" and is hand-formed in fiberglass, finished in red automotive paint that fades to a darker red toward the rear, clear-coated, and polished to a high-gloss finish. The piece is mounted on a tilted, brushed-aluminum base that reinforces the sense of forward motion. This example is the Artist's Proof and the only example that will be produced; the mold used to cast the piece has since been destroyed. At 60" in length, the piece is well suited as a centerpiece for an office, conference room, museum, or dealership showroom.

About the Artist

Richard Pietruska holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Transportation Design and a Master of Fine Arts degree in Art from ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, California, where he has taught for more than 50 years. He has been a member of the Automotive Fine Arts Society (AFAS) since 1996 and has received the Peter Helck Award three years in a row, along with multiple Athena Awards of Excellence at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. Pietruska's automotive sculpture work has been featured in publications including Road & Track, Automobile Magazine, and Robb Report, and his pieces are held in private collections and automotive museums internationally.

The Sculpture

Each of Pietruska's sculptures is designed and formed entirely by hand, without the use of computer-aided design. The process for this piece began with sketches exploring form and motion, followed by small-scale design studies to evaluate the concept in three dimensions. Once a direction was finalized, the artist worked at full size in a combination of clay, foam, and body filler to develop the final form, which was then used to produce an RTV mold. The fiberglass piece was cast from that mold, followed by extensive sanding and surface correction. The painting process mirrors that of an automotive finish, with multiple layers of primer applied and sanded to achieve uniform surface reflection before color, clear coat, and polish were applied. The completed piece was then mounted to its base. The full process for a sculpture of this scale spans several months.

Edition & Provenance

This sculpture is the Artist's Proof of Ferrari Slipstream. No additional examples of this piece will be produced, as the mold has been destroyed following the casting of this example.

Condition

The sculpture is in excellent condition overall.

Shipping

The sculpture will be shipped in a thick foam-padded box to protect it in transit. International shipping is available. A shipping quote can be provided upon request.