Gallery Review

The latest art show at Ace Barbershop is a futuristic, welded, stainless steel display. Consisting mainly of arm cuffs, it’s thoughtfully laid out by newcomer artist J.P. Rodman.

The wristwear is handmade and comes in a range of styles, shapes and sizes. Each cuff starts with a stainless steel rod that Rodman bends by hand and with a hammer. He then personalizes them with a welder by adding holes, ridges and discoloration. He can vary the level of color, leaving a glittery, shiny surface, depending on how long he applies the heat. Some have etched or sanded-in scars.

Rodman will custom fit the pieces to a patron’s body. Keeping them polished looks easy: I witnessed him cleaning one of the cuffs with Windex and a Scotch-Brite pad.

The 36-year-old Bosque Farms artist started welding as a trade when he was 18. About a year ago, however, he began making what he calls functional art. “I started welding and always fell back on it,” said Rodman. “I wanted to get away from building the same old square.” Rodman’s day job is constructing stainless steel and polypropylene tables, workstations and cabinets.

One of the most fussed-over, non-jewelry items I saw was a shelving unit with a microphone. Ace Barbershop owner Gabe Jaureguiberry could use it to call up his next patron to chair No. 2, or to announce the music he plays on turntables during haircuts.

Cuffs are reasonably priced between $25 and $150. The 28-piece display is showing all month. It ends on Friday, Sept. 30, with a closing reception, wherein Rodman will do personalized fittings.