“I’ve already uploaded your DNA,” he said slyly.
Meet local artist Sebastian Wolf who recently was hanging at the Kava Culture Bar on Fleming
Street, where some of his metal and stone wearable — and collectible — art was on display. The quirky artist and his wife Magesty’s two constant companions are their unusual cats: the striking blue-eyed sphynxes Galaxy and Anura. The felines’ mode of travel these days is a stroller that was parked at Kava the day we sat down to talk about Wolf’s intricate and metaphysical pieces as revealed in jewelry and sculpture.
The blue-tressed creator works mainly with woven wire, often studded with crystals and semi-precious stones. Recycled materials sourced from discarded silver wire and other metals add to the art’s mystique.
“Every piece has a story, a history to it,” the 42 year-old Wolf said. “I play and listen to music while I’m creating these beautiful creations.”
Galaxy, he said, will “climb into what’s called a hang drum; he’s entranced by the sound.”
This week, Wolf completed a project that’s now for sale, a graceful flamingo embedded with colorful, uncut sustainably-sourced gems.
The cat-and-human family are recent arrivals to Key West by way of Arizona, where Sebastian and Magesty acquired many of their crystals and other stones. In fact, that’s how the pair met.
“I went out to collect amethysts in the desert and there she was,” Wolf said. “It was fate or energy or providence, I don’t really know. We’ve been together over nine years now.”
Magesty (yes, the name is spelled with a G) has her own passion as a raw vegan enthusiast and cook. “I make vegan desserts and teach people how to use raw food.”
Speaking of raw-based diets, Galaxy and Anura follow the same rule in the household: their sole food intake is uncooked rabbit for breakfast, lunch and dinner. In fact, on a recent visit to Kava Bar, where Sebastian was displaying some of his jewelry, the two cats were screeching through the screen on the stroller. “They’re really hungry right now,” Magesty laughed.
But don’t worry, the Wolfs aren’t chasing down rabbits in the street to feed their felines.
“We order frozen rabbit meat online. They won’t eat anything else!”
The unconventional artist and his wife, although new to the island, appear to blend in seamlessly with the eclectic diversity of the art scene in Key West. A few times a week, Wolf joins other purveyors who offer some of their work in the outdoor Duval Street marketplace.
Coming down to the island at first took some convincing from friends and family.
“When we were in Arizona, everyone was telling me, ‘You have to go to Key West.’ At first I was skeptical about moving to Florida. Now I see what they were talking about.”
Wolf’s attitude about life fits in perfectly with his art.
“Trust your intuition,” he winked.
