by Noma Faingold
Sculptor Stephen Fox, 77, lives in a rather typical Outer Richmond District flat with his
energetic wife of 13 years, Barbara Luzardi, 64. Once inside the flat, Luzardi gives a tour
through the living room, pointing out that nearly all of Fox’s small-tomedium, mostly
wood sculptures were missing.

A reception was held at the Far Out Gallery in July for Stephen Fox (right), a sculptor who gave a brief talk about his unique creations. Photo: May Woon.
“They’re all in the show,” she said, gleefully.
The solo show, which was held at the Far Out Gallery in the Sunset District through July,
is Fox’s first ever in his many decades of being an artist. Even though Luzardi had freshly
baked scones still warm on the kitchen table and coffee brewing, she comes off
more as her husband’s quirky agent than a traditional wife.
She knew the location of every piece still remaining in the house, including one of her
favorites made of Cocobolo wood, which she admiringly placed as a centerpiece on the
kitchen table. The sculpture is a combination of preserving the natural beauty of the
wood and smoothing out its curves. The abstract piece has elements of a woman’s shape
seamlessly meshing with the raw material.
“I won’t let him sell it,” she said.
Fox, originally from Los Angeles, spent time in San Francisco, the Oregon coast and
Hawaii before settling in San Francisco for good in 1977. While raising his daughter, Mia,
with his first wife, Diane, also an artist (pastels), Fox was a bartender. It was a living.
But what he did like about it was “every day was different.”
Among the places Fox worked included a long stint at the Courtyard, which
used to be located at 26th Avenue and Clement Street, and Enrico’s in the North
Beach. In those years, the self-taught artist spent as much as time allowed in his
garage workshop refining his technique and skills. His style also evolved.
“Craftsman and artist are one in the same,” he said. “You have to learn the
craft.”

Stephen Fox works in his home studio creating a piece depicting Josephine Baker.
Photo: Noma Faingold
Fox admits his drawing skills held him back for a few years, since it’s an important
part of his process. He starts with an idea, sketches it on a piece of paper and
cuts out a “template,” which he also refers to as the “silhouette,” providing the general
shape and scale of the artwork. His workshop is fully equipped with tools, saws and
finishing gear, which he uses when he works with wood or other mediums,
such as soap stone, alabaster and acrylic.
Fox also uses another room in the house for the less industrial aspects of his
work. A part of the backyard is a designated work space, as well. He estimates
that he has created 300-400 pieces over the years. While some were more practical,
like bowls and serving spoons he would give to friends, he also went through a lengthy
period of sculpting birds, which proved to be objects people would buy.
His creations are modern, delicate and accessible.
“I don’t make a social statement,” Fox said with assurance and zero pretension.
“I’m not that kind of artist.”
Influences in his work include “African anthropology, particularly the Maasai Tribe,” he
said. Fox is also an admirer of artists Henry Moore, Hans Arp and Salvador Dali.
Since he retired at 64, Fox has produced work at a much faster pace.
“I’ve done more in 13 years than I ever did,” he said.
He works on average of five to six hours a day. If he gets intensely involved,
Luzardi jokes that she has to entice him to come back upstairs with the aromas of
her cooking.
The recent Sunset show featured about 100 pieces, and was successful for Fox
and the gallery. By mid-month, about a dozen works, which range from $125 to
$2,500, had been sold. At least 50 people attended the opening reception.
“When people you don’t know buy something, it’s very affirming,” Fox said.
The Far Out Gallery has already booked Fox for another show in December, 2018.
Categories: Art, Richmond District, Richmond Review, Sunset Beacon, Sunset District
Hi Stephen,
I saw the last Season 10 Episode 10 of Larry David’s HBO “Curb Your Enthusiasm” last night, and on his mantel was a beautiful wood sculpture of a man pushing a boulder uphill with a stick. The lines, the head, and the FEET, just said Fox! Is it possible you sold this piece to Larry David? Did you meet him, or are you showing in Beverly Hills? Highly unlikely, but what would I know? Please let me know!
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