Demonstration Plastik abb.163, the piece included in the Small Works exhibition, is a signature work, a particularly interesting bronze sculpture in the collection… describing a farcical situation in which the figure, grasping a commonplace chair and lifting a cinder block brick, becomes a human counterbalance. A crucial tension (bisecting space) is achieved as this figure tries to maintain ‘balance’.
The expressive character and distinctiveness of this limited edition collection of fine art bronze sculpture lies in a unique personal vision blending social commentary, storytelling, and an imaginative philosophy which attempts to unravel the mystery of everyday life. Each original sculpture explores a constant and evolving theme connecting the human figure to the truth of our own materiality.
In this world of miniatures, life is viewed as a predicament, a quandary, a “pickle”, as indicated in many of the sculpture titles; i.e. Philosophers Playing Catch, On a Kitchen Chair, The Condition of Being (in a particular place), andEscape from the Old Folks’ Home. The human condition is portrayed as a momentary predicament or baffling dilemma. It is a theme which constantly replays itself throughout this collection of whimsical, anecdotal, farcical, yet highly personal and accessible dramas. The sculptures masquerade as parodies disguising philosophical truth. A sort of burlesque play or commedie bouffe- with humanistic and sympathetic overtones- resides in this work. The situations are comical, yet have gravity. As art, they read more prose-like than as a poem, more existential, than idealistic.
The overall effect, through juxtaposing implausible circumstances and unconventional poses with realistic modelling of commonplace caricatures, is that an often surreal and dynamic tension is achieved, giving the sculpture a vitality and authority which seems to provoke more questions than it answers. Fully realized, these sculptures collectively succeed to the degree in which they enlighten, entertain, and uncover fundamental truths of our own materiality… giving rise to a profound and meaningful reverence we all have for the human body and the ongoing drama that we call the “human comedy”.
As an imaginative child growing up in the Midwest, with parents and siblings all inclined toward art and design, it was somewhat expected that I might also be drawn to the arts. In college, my undergraduate studies (a self-proposed interdisciplinary program integrating art, music, philosophy, and photography), aimed to create a comprehensive core understanding of the essence which persists within all fine art. Later, pursuing my MFA in sculpture, years of study came finally into focus once I realized my unique personal vision. Matched with an imaginative philosophy, I could usurp the traditional approach to ‘figure’ in art with something more comical, unconventional, and contemporary.
Since completing my MFA in 1979, and mastering the necessary technical skills, I elected to take a varied approach in my professional career by incorporating teaching, exhibiting in fine art galleries, and, pursuing commissions. I accepted directorships both at the prestigious Technical Institute of Sculpture Princeton, NJ., and at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, CA. Other teaching opportunities include invitations to teach several fine art professional workshops such as Figure Modelling and the Art of Moldmaking at the Loveland Academy and the Scottsdale Artist’s School.,
As a freelance artist, I have exhibited my own artworks extensively, while concurrently executing numerous public and private commissions. Clients for commissions include: the de Young Art Museum, the Balitmore Ravens NFL Football Team, the United States Postal Service, Rotary International, the Legion of Honour Art Museum, and the Stephen Speilberg Film Industry, and a yet to be completed portrait of President Barack Obama. Recent public commissions include the West Coast WWII Memorial, the Japanese American Memorial, and a public monument honoring Irish Americans immigrants, located in the Midwest. Elected lifetime member of the National Sculpture Society, NYC, and a professional member of the International Sculpture Centre in Washington DC.
Pastimes include road cycling, fly fishing, and acoustic guitar, I currently live in Nevada City, California
Small Works 2021 includes 215 works of art by 136 artists from 28 state and runs through Thursday, December 23, 2021.
