Seth Thibodaux
Propeller and WIngs, 2026
3D printed ABS, aluminum, wood
Artist statement
Propeller and Wings explores my usual theme of combining avian imagery with the imagery of human flight referencing how birds influence aviation, even to this day. The 3D printed “Propeller and Wings” emblem used in this piece dates back to the first World War, since its inception, aviators across several countries have adopted this emblem as their own. The “propeller and Wings” emblem combines a pair of eagle wings with an airplane propeller between them. This emblem alone already lends itself well to the overall theme of my work, which ends up being somewhat of a metaphor for the influence that birds had on the invention of the airplane, as well as giving the piece some historical context. The background or “record” is made of aluminum with wood lattice work inside of it, there is also aircraft imagery applied here as well. The ring, though it is not specifically from an aircraft is made of aluminum, which is a widely used material in the aviation world. The wood lattice work that you see is made to mimic the structural design of a wing ribs or fuselage sides, this design is traditionally used in airplanes constructed of wood.
Artist bio
Seth Thibodaux is an artist originally from Louisiana. His work focuses heavily on the topic of aviation, which has been an interest of his from an early age. Seth received his BFA from Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana in 2011. He received his MFA from the University of Mississippi in Oxford, Mississippi in 2015 and was then hired as an Instructor of Sculpture and Sculpture Technician that same year. Seth draws inspiration from his love of aviation as well as its history, the anatomy of birds and the aviation studies from Leonardo Da Vinci’s notebooks. Seth has been in several regional, national and international juried and solo exhibitions. He has had showings in several outdoor exhibitions as well as having completed commissions for private collections. Seth Specializes in metal fabrication, wood working, metal casting, and 3D printing.
