Blog

***Artists-

        -using multiple techniques

        -employing different materials

        -creating an assortment of sculptures 

     Some people, perhaps you, can remember reading how Michelangelo described sculpturing.  He said, “Every block of stone has a statue inside it and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it.” 

     During the time before the twentieth century, sculpture was mostly an expression of either religion or politics. Think of Michelangelo’s “David” or the “Pieta” which is Mary holding the body of Christ after the Crucifixion. This three-dimensional art form was often made by carving away and removing material. Other techniques at the time included modeling where materials were added to create the piece. Form was the important, operative word and sculptures completed during this time were representational pieces depicting life.

     But eventually modern sculpturing moved into the art world during the 1900’s and now.  Sculpture now includes 3-D objects which are notable not only for their form, but also for their function. Many of these artistic expressions are non-representational.

     After perusing Gallery Moab’s creative group of sculptors, it is noteworthy to explain that many different kinds of sculpturing are going on here.  For instance, Jessica Tyler works in bronze and creates whimsical statutes of animals. The creation of these smaller statues follow along more traditional lines. They are more representational of real life.  Her method includes casting which is an additive process.  Nick Eason carves (a negative process), and reveals animals, especially birds, in “found” wood pieces. These, too, are representational, but are beginning to show a more loose interpretation of this kind of life form.

Then another artist at Gallery Moab, Shari Michaud, fashions clay into her very humorous 3-dimensional animals. So far these three artists are making forms but not functional items.

    Now with more modern ideas about form AND function, Barb Gregoire and Joanne Savoie create clay pieces which are not only beautiful to look at, but also have a functional touch to them. Barb makes a wide variety of ceramic items with unique finishing touches added to them.  Joanne, also makes wonderfully functional ceramics which are charming to look at for their form.  These two artists are thinking more along the lines of modernism.

    Both traditional and modern forms of sculpture are legitimate techniques using sound and durable materials. Other modern forms of 3-D creations include spatial sculpture where spatial aspects become more dominant. Kinetic sculpture includes mobiles and changeable sculpture.  Alexander Calder is an artist famous for his colorful and delicate mobiles constructed of painted metal. Another type of modern sculpture are holograms.  Finally, a short-lived type of sculpture is completed with stone and ice by Andy Goldsworthy who fashions impossible looking structures which seem to be on the brink of crashing.

     Leonard  R. Rogers, who is a sculptor and writer, states “Sculpture is a term that describes continual evolution.”  With more and more materials being used for sculpture, this alone demonstrates evolution.  Some of these materials, not necessarily new, but new to 3-dimensional art include plastics, rubber, fabric, papier mache, and  anything “found” which can be put together or subtracted from. Techniques also vary as much as materials.  In additional to the four basic techniques of carving, casting, modeling and assembling, there is welding, sewing, and forging.

     There are so many possibilities in what can be done in 3-dimensions. It seems like the sky is the limit.  Like Michelangelo said, when an older man of 88, “I’m still learning.” Anyone pursuing the dream of being a sculptor has a lot of possibilities in three dimensional art-making.  It can be an exciting adventure in learning.

Helen Becker for

Gallery Moab

59 South Main Steet #1

Moab, Utah  84532

435-355-0024