Joseph Ara Zovickian

Public sculpture often shapes how a city remembers itself—monuments, fountains, and abstract forms that outlast their creators. Joseph Ara Zovickian works in this tradition, producing pieces that bridge private commission and civic presence. His studio practice centers on large-scale metalwork, where industrial materials yield unexpected grace; each piece invites a second look, whether installed in a plaza or a private garden.

Artists who choose metal as their medium contend with weight, permanence, and the elements. Zovickian’s approach leans into these challenges, transforming raw steel and bronze into forms that feel both deliberate and spontaneous. The results range from figurative to geometric, each piece carrying the marks of its making—weld lines, patinas, and textures that tell a quiet story of craft.

Those interested in seeing the work firsthand can find the studio at 310 10th Street, Oakland, CA 94607. While visits are typically by appointment, the surrounding neighborhood offers its own draw: a mix of warehouses and small galleries, where the industrial past of West Oakland still lingers in the brick facades and wide sidewalks. A call to (510) 289-6174 will confirm availability.

Directions to the studio are straightforward via the map here. It’s the kind of place where the work speaks before the artist does.