About Hardy Jones

Hardy Jones sculptures are whimsical and alive. Welded from scrap metal, old tools, and found objects, each sculpture is as unique as its parts: a 1952 Buick steering linkage, old farm equipment, truck and railroad yard fittings. With their metal parts rearranged and welded together, creations come to life, reborn as dancers, animals, or warriors, inspired by the exciting discovery of some new found art treasure.

Most sculptures are one-of-a-kind, although themes run through Jones's work: dancers, angels, shamans, fish, horses, and occasionally giraffes, dragons, cats and dogs. Sizes range from a one-foot baby alligator to monumental.

After retiring from orthopedic surgery, Jones joyfully devoted his energy to art and sculpture. His passion for found art spanned more than 40 years (more than 60, really, since family photos show him collecting junk to build things as a young boy), and more than 200 of his sculptures are in private collections in California, throughout the United States, and in Canada and Mexico. His work can also be found in public places, including city parks, restaurants, and businesses, throughout Santa Clara County.

Hardy was diagnosed with ALS in 2015, and he kept making found art anyway. When he could no longer work in the studio, he kept collaborating with his son, Bryan, over video calls from home, right up until the last month of his life. Their last piece together is "Ski-EO," a play on skier and CEO: a skier with big springs for ski boots, made for Bryan, who lives in a mountain town and runs his own business. Hardy died at home in Los Altos on December 28, 2016. He was 71.