High Heeled Art: Robert Tabor’s Shoe Sculptures
May 4, 2010 by HauteShuzAddict
Filed under art & sole
Give Robert Tabor a stiletto and he’ll create a work of art. According to Julie Landry Laviolette for the Miami Harold, Tabor has handcrafted around 200 whimsical sculptures in the past 20 years. The Fort Lauderdale based artist’s shoe sculptures have been spotted anywhere from drag bars to a Ritz-Carlton presidential suite. Which isn’t surprising when you take a look at Tabor’s work; there is nothing timid about it. To him, the glitzier and zanier, the better. Throughout his body of work, he depicts everything from a brisket sandwich to Glinda the Good Witch from the Wizard of Oz.
"Brisket Flip-Flop"
Tabor spent the first 25 years of his career as a classically trained graphic designer, where he unleashed his talents on costuming, set design, and prop making. This lifelong career in three dimensional design eventually culminated in the creation of a line of fantasy shoe sculptures. The 200 plus sculptures consisted of different “series” ranging from the food themed to the afore mentioned Wizard of Oz.
"The Ultimate Ruby Shoe"
The shoe sculptures, which sell for $350 to $1,500, are displayed every so often in exhibits around South Florida, most recently in Miami and Palm Beach. When not on display, they rest on clear shelves in Tabor’s apartment.
"Spaghetti Stiletto"
Though Tabor has the most fun creating a full-fantasy line, complete with sequins, sparkles, and bling to spare, he recently commissioned 12 shoes, each to honor a different first lady, to be on permanent display at the Ritz-Carlton Palm Beach hotel’s presidential suite. He unveiled the “Michelle Obama” shoe sculpture this past January.
"The 18th Hole"
Tabor goes to great lengths to ensure that each piece is a one-of-a-kind. He scours clearance sales for women’s shoes to use as the framework for his art. He favors high heels due to his love of the sexy silhouette of the stiletto. For the body of the sculpture, he uses water-based clay that is molded and baked. Decorations ranging from fabric scraps, false fingernails, hair curlers, and plenty of bling are then added for the finishing touch. All his creations are spontaneous- created without the use of a template or mold so as to guarantee that no two can come out exactly alike.
For more about Robert Tabor and his designs, visit his web site at RobertTabor.com.
