Atomic Artist: Tony Price

Tony Price (1937–2000) was a self-styled "Atomic Artist" and outspoken antinuclear activist. After visiting Los Alamos National Laboratory and discovering their salvage yard, he began to create utilitarian objects such as chairs and tables and musical instruments, especially wind chimes and gongs, out of their discarded scraps. He later moved on to creating sculptures, one of which is this crucifix that I photographed in 2008 when it was displayed outside one of the Roman Catholic churches near Santa Fe, N.M.


In 1965 a friend showed him some pieces of test tube bottles found in the Los Alamos salvage heaps, where a scrap auction was held weekly. Price went to see for himself and found what he  called "a perfect mountain of art," piles of brass, stainless steel, aluminum, plastic and bits of electronics thrown away by scientists and technicians. Inspired by the aesthetic quality of this atomic junk pile, he bought some pieces and began to fuse them - his own way to beat swords into plowshares.


To learn more about this fascinating artist, see more of his work, and read his bio, be sure to click here. it will be worth your time.