Reviews

Local Sculptors Attend 29th International Sculpture Center Conference

The Multifaceted Maker: An incredible adventure into the work and minds of both International and local sculptors!

Alisa Looney

Although I have been an ISC Member for many years, I had the privilege of attending my first ISC Conference this October, in Portland, Oregon! As a local sculptor, it was incredible to meet so many sculptors from all over the country and the world. There were many memorable moments, and I will attempt to recount a few here for those of you who could not attend.

First, I would like to thank ISC Director Johannah Hutchison, Conference & Events Manager, Jennifer Galarza, and Conference & Events Coordinator Alissa Maldonado for bringing the conference to Portland! Johanna mentioned in her address that Julian Voss-Andreae suggested (four years in a row) that she bring the conference to Portland. We appreciate you so much, Julian! Many of our PNWS members met with Johanna and Jennifer prior to their decision, and all our efforts paid off! Thank you all!

Local Sculptors Offer Studio Tours

My conference experience began with the Michael Curry Design – Studio tour. What an incredible creator, space, company, and process! No photos were allowed, but our gracious host Michael Curry took us on a tour of his complex processes and studios and explained how he and his team developed new technologies over many years to make lightweight carbon fiber costumes with thin walls that many dancers and performers depend on to move freely. With over 50 employed artists and engineers, the magic that happens here is truly awe-inspiring. Michael shared his golden minute rule: when coming up with an idea… close your eyes and look inside, follow your instincts, follow your gut, and explore these ideas with your sketchbook, then do the research later (if needed). Love that!!

Next up: Leland Iron Works Tour: Upon arriving, Lee Kelly and his daughter Kassandra graciously led us to Lee’s studio, which was originally converted from a dairy barn in 1963 and shared with his late wife, Bonnie Bronson, also an accomplished artist. It was truly an honor to sit down with Lee by his crackling wood stove and visit for a few minutes. After appreciating him for his brilliant work, I was pleased to find out that he was born in Riggins, Idaho, and with his kind voice, he spoke of how he rode on horseback to pick up firefighters along the Salmon River in his youth. We then followed a meandering path through many of his stunning monumental works as well as his many maquettes strategically placed throughout the grounds. One path led to a gallery where Randall Davis shared more of Lee’s small sculptures, as well as Bonnie’s wall constructions and enamel works. It was truly a highlight to see the work of these brilliant artists and their fertile ground. It was a dream come true for me!

Local Sculptors Showcase Their Talent Alongside Students

Later that evening we gathered at PNCA for the opening reception of the Little Sculpture Exhibit of work by conference attendees. Many local sculptors and PNWS members were exhibiting works that fit within the 8 x 8 x 8-inch requirement, including Sue Quast, Chas Martin, Julian Voss-Andreae, Alisa Looney, Jessica Stroia, and Dan Good. This event was open to the public so many of our local supporters came to see the exhibit as well. Following this event, we celebrated over dinner with new and old friends!

Panel Discussions Covered A Range of Topics

The Panels began on Sunday, with the first one on Public Art: Looking at its impact and benefits in livable cities. Panelist Ming Cheung shared her research on how Artistic Integrity and Human Interaction merge to create memorable experiences. Ronnie Van Hout shared his monumental work, which was created by scanning a 3-D image of his son walking, and some of the reactions to it, positive and negative.

The next panel: Voyage to the virtual – Sculpture in the post-digital age. I was fascinated by the speaker Michael Rees who said “We can do something special with our art, extend ourselves beyond time and space, inhabit something so thoroughly with this work.” He talked about how 3D software expresses math best, the universal language of nature. I found his philosophy interesting, how the spirit of art engages and speculates reality. Sophie Kahn also shared her work and process and talked about how she liked the bits of data or “errors” in a 3D scan, and used them as part of her final work, finding these patterns pleasing. Jose Luis Garcia shared his multi-faceted process which originated from an architectural background. He found it intriguing to ask: where is floor, wall, ceiling, and shared samples of moving these around to create sculptural forms. Jose writes software frameworks that help people expand their possibilities using these creative tools. He has used robots to do the heavy lifting, and then adds back in the grace of the human hand. Jose also shared a video: The Digital Touch / Robotic Marble sculpting, short documentary – bit.ly/the-digital-touch

Local Sculptors Exhibit Works at ArtReach Gallery in Downtown Portland

I took a short walk across the park blocks to ArtReach Gallery and our very own exhibit, Making Space! Many thanks to Chas and his team for putting this show together with Curator, Sheldon Hurst. It was a stunning exhibit with so many gorgeous works by local sculptors. I felt that combining artists from the two sculpture groups PNWS and the Stone Sculptors Assn. created an excellent result that captured the creativity, craftsmanship, and integrity of sculptors in the Northwest. Many conference attendees whom I had invited reflected back to me that they attended the show and enjoyed it very much. They felt the quality of work was superb, so well done everyone!!!!

PNCA Facility Hosts Faculty Gallery Exhibit

That evening, the reception at the PNCA Glass building was another delight. Formerly the home of Uroboros Glass, this building has been converted into a maker space of an artist’s dream. Professor David Eckard, PNCA Head of Sculpture gave us a wonderful tour of this space. He mentioned it has been in a state of transformation for this past year. It is incredible, with studios available for a variety of sculptural mediums: wood, clay, and metal. The facility recently added enameling kilns and additional tools from OCAC, giving students and teachers from OCAC a place to finish the programs they started there. The gallery at the entrance exhibited works by BFA Faculty. The center of the building was off-limits, where the privacy of graduate studios was respected.

Unfortunately, I was unable to attend the panel on Monday. It was titled: Contemporary Public Art Sculpture in China, with presenters Devin Lawrence Field, Shen Lieye, and Dong Shubing. I heard from others who raved about it. I was happy to meet our guests from China and receive a book of Shen Lieye’s incredible work from Devin and Alissa later that day.

Next Panel: Deconstructing the Gender Binary: Gender and LGBTQ+ Equality within 3-D Making Environments, which highlighted the struggles and breakthroughs within the realm of gender. One thing I took away was this: It is respectful to say “I identify as (she, he, they, etc)” to help others feel comfortable in saying how they identify. This breaks the ice and allows everyone to feel respected.

Local Sculptors Attend ART SLAM Event

A friend encouraged me to sign up for an ART SLAM and I took the challenge. We had the option of talking for 10 minutes or talking for 5 and asking for critique for the remainder of the time. It was an inspiring experience to both share my work and listen to other artists present theirs. It thrilled me that two of the local sculptors that presented were also PNWS members: Michele Collier and Micajah Bienvenu. Each gave wonderful presentations.

The Panel: Indigenous Strategies for Multimedia Intercultural Collaborations was also inspiring and was entralled by the work of Lyonel Grant.

One quote that I found inspiring, “Where there’s artistic excellence, there’s human dignity” –Maori saying.

PNWS Members Host ISC Event

Next up: Party at Eichinger Sculpture Studio! Many of our PNWS Members attended as well as ISC conference attendees. Marty’s studio and gallery are in The Geode, where conference attendees and the local community could relax and connect. Touring this amazing space and seeing the work of four local artists was great fun. Thank you, Marty, your party was a blast!

Panel Discusses Large Scale Art Installations

On Tuesday, I attended a Panel: Large scale Art Sculpture, Community, Learning, Teaching, and the Life of Public Art. The presenters were Selinda Martinez, Peter Hudson, Alireza Lahijanian, Margaret Long, Crimson Rose, and Matthew Schultz. Each of them is affiliated with Creators of Burning Man and Public Sculptures. This presentation was incredible. The artists, sculptors, and engineers presented how they work together to create monumental fire sculptures. The group also shared how each creation is moved and reassembled on the playa of the Black Rock Desert. They then described how they reconfigure them for other public presentations. Each presented their work with a contagious enthusiasm for the moment of surprise when they see a sculpture. I was giddy with excitement after seeing how they work together and pushed the boundaries of sculpture and fire. Of course, I had to ask the question that was in my heart, “What if we switch fire for seeds?” Peter answered with “I think you should make a proposal!” I may take that challenge. Later that day, I enjoyed having lunch with several of the presenters, along with Julian. I found this group of artists to exude pure joy!

PSU Students Awarded For Achievement

Finally, I finished the conference by attending the closing reception and the Student Achievement Awards Exhibition at PSU Littman Gallery. It was inspiring to see ISC give these students a head start on their careers by recognizing them for their work. We wrapped up the evening with a walk to the MFA Open Studio Event. We were inspired by the ingenuity of students pushing boundaries in many forms of art. Truly grateful!

To learn more about Pacific Northwest Sculptors events, contact us today!

Pacific Northwest Area Sculptors Explore Space at Sculpture Gallery

This month, our Making Space sculpture gallery show displayed the talent and commitment of both Pacific Northwest Sculptors and Northwest Stone Sculptors Association members. ArtReach Gallery is a huge space and we filled it with excellent examples of our work. We drew a steady stream of visitors. I heard many positive remarks about the quality of sculptures in the sculpture show from International Sculpture Conference participants. We presented ourselves well.

ArtReach Gallery Sculpture Show Sculptures - October 2019

Collaborating For A Sculpture Gallery Show

The effort required to assemble 39 pieces from 25 sculptors was epic. We had five or six sculptures between 5’ and 8’ tall. There were multiple stone sculptures nearly equaling the weight of their creators. My only regret is that the show only lasted four days.

The lack of sales was disappointing, but the boost in visibility and a few new memberships may have long term benefits for the organization. This was our first collaborative venture with NWSSA. I hope we will produce another show in the Seattle area. Sheldon Hurst, the curator at ArtReach has also suggested we display a few sculptures at ArtReach on an ongoing basis.

ArtReach Gallery Sculpture Show - October 2019

Special thanks to Bob Dale for identifying the space and making introductions. Working with Sheldon Hurst was as pleasant an experience as I’ve had in a long time. Additional thanks to Dave Gonzo and Andy Kennedy for moving pedestals to and from storage. A special thanks also go to Sue Quast for taking the lead on hospitality for our reception. And, no activity is complete without a thank you to George who helped with coordination and assisted in judging the entries. Shelly and Jessica worked kept us visible on social media. Thank you to all the participants who put a lot into getting work to and from the gallery for such a short event. And, finally, there are a number of NWSSA members who deserve a nod, including Cyra Jane and Carl Nelson whom I worked with directly.

Thanks to Marty Eichinger for co-hosting a reception for conference attendees and PNWS members. That was a great networking opportunity.

I’m sure I’ve overlooked a few others who also deserve to be thanked. My apologies.

To learn more about Pacific Northwest Sculptors events, contact us today!

Sculptors Share Secrets At International Sculpture Day 2019

International Sculpture Day - May 2019 - 1

International Sculpture Day - May 2019 - 2

We’ve yet to have an International Sculpture Day celebration that was not a great success. This one was slimmed down from previous years in that it was to be merely a juried exhibition with a few artists demonstrating techniques. A budget was set for food and the demonstrators paid a small fee to participate. Sculptors Jesse Pierson and Dave Gonzo hosted at their studio on Franklin in SE Portland. Of course, this all sounds simple, but there are a tremendous number of tasks to complete to pull such a thing off. Firstly, you need postcards and publicity, find somebody to pour beer, and the food needs to be bought and set up. Also, where does one find a computer beefy enough to run Oculus Rift? At some point, Gonzo had to lower the giant spider down from the ceiling and build a fire in it. Suffice it to say there was plenty of thinking and heavy lifting involved to make the event a success.

International Sculpture Day Is Mainly A Social Event

I was a demonstrator and went with the intent of making a decent number of little creatures. I made a small lump. It was green and misshapen. That’s as far as I got. Afterward, I spent the rest of the time talking with one person after another. What a bunch of interesting people and what a remarkable evening.

Oculus Rift is a piece of the 3D system with a stereo headset primarily aimed at the gaming industry. One is immersed in a 3-dimensional environment usually with ample weaponry. Hand controls enable one to manipulate and/or operate virtual objects. Your virtual hands or tools mimic the movements of your real arms and hands. Of course, all this means it’s possible to make things as well. This resulted in one person after another sitting over in the corner with googles and hand controls making insane gestures. Alisa Looney, Chas Martin, Andy Kennedy, Joe Cartino, and I were the demonstrators. All were constantly engaged. Thanks, Dave and Jesse, and all who helped out. That was a really nice event.

To learn more about Pacific Northwest Sculptors events, and con t act us today!

Portland’s top art event – Art in the Pearl 2018

Carole Murphy

The Art in the Pearl was a success for the 15th (I think) year of demonstrating artists from the Pacific Northwest Sculptors! This year Dave Gonzales, Maureena Ross, Chas Martin, Olinka Broadfoot and myself, showed some of the possibilities our art. The reception from viewers was warm and inspiring. It is always wonderful to hear what people see and feel about your art. There are so many different ways to see each sculpture and people freely talk about what you do there and of course they quite often share what many of them are up to in their artistic lives. As usual, many folks were interested in joining us, we’ll see how many actually come to meetings or become members. It is good to get the information out about us either way. Our participation there is an excellent way to support the art community, wake up people to some of the art in the area and to let people know about who we are and what we do both individually and as a group. So many visitors were really excited about the meetings that we have monthly in each other’s studios, so who knows who will show up at this next meeting.

Pacific Northwest Sculptors member Dave Gonzo at Art in the Pearl 2018 — Dave Gonzo at Art in the Pearl 2018

Pacific Northwest Sculptors member Chas Martin at Art in the Pearl 2018 — Chas Martin at Art in the Pearl 2018.

To learn more about Pacific Northwest Sculptors events, contact us today!

Frogwood Collaborations: Sculptors share techniques and perspectives

6 days and 6 nights filled with making art with 38 other artists… what could be better? We usually were at work by 7:30 am and continued sometimes to 11:30 and later. It was amazing to see people simply drop their egos within a couple of days and simply play with one another, creating art. There were no rules such as- how much was to be made, how to make it, how to connect with others, how many to work on a piece, how to warm up or any other rules that you could think up. We were simply there with tools and art supplies that we brought and a ton of tools and art supplies that were already there. Some had been there before, some had not, most were accomplished artists in their fields and all were ready to play. The word that comes to mind first in trying to describe it to people is – profound. It made me call to a deeper part of me and simply create more freely.

Included in the array of makers were wood turners, welders, a blacksmith, coppersmiths, jewelers, sculptors, weavers and even a couple of people that made instruments. This next year the plan is to invite even more folks. A few people traveled home each night but most stayed in tents and cabins around a place called Camp Colton in Colton, Oregon, about an hour SE of Portland. The affair is catered with amazing food and I bunked with the most wonderful people. You’d think that 3 women in a tiny cabin room would be a problem, especially with the bathroom outside in another part of the building. Nope, it was really enjoyable talking excitedly about our day when we did bump into each other there.

Below is one of the pieces that I collaborated on – I made the stand and the boat and all of the pieces including the sail are made by 9 other artists.

Frogwood

Questions on Art, Commerce, and Eternity

I didn’t expect much of this condo estate sale. A friend wanted some advice about sculpture included in the estate. Expecting some Hummel figurines, I was astounded to see three beautiful stone carvings. Not just beautiful, old. Old as in ANCIENT. Two Buddhas and a devotional figure from Gandhara. 1500 to 1700 years old.

Gandhara sculpture looks like no other art. Gandhara was a kingdom in the 3rd to 5th Centuries, in what is now Pakistan and Afghanistan. The faces are very stylized, like a 30’s movie star. It is a fusion of Greek and Asian art that happened when Alexander the Great took Greek art and crafts into Asia. The artists of Gandhara were the first to carve images of the Buddha. Prior to this, he was depicted as footprints with inscribed symbols.

I felt a protective responsibility for these three time travelers, and had so many questions! How did they wind up in a Parkrose condo? Can you sell these? Can you own them? How do put a price on cultural art that’s almost 2000 years old? Don’t they belong in a museum?

Looking for a way to evaluate the trio, I called the Asian Art Museums in Seattle and San Francisco. They were little help, though they did refer me to the National Institute of Appraisers and the Appraisers Association.

With the pressure of time and no money to pay for an appraisal, I called an Sue McGovern-Huffman an antiques dealer in Washington DC, for advice. Sue looked at photos and said they weren’t the quality her collectors were looking for.

That raised the question: How perfect does a 1700 year old religious stone object need to be?

“Try Bonham’s in San Francisco.” They have a specialty in Indian, Himalayan and Southeast Asian Art.

Darise Weller, the sale organizer, told me that the owner was a Pan Am pilot, stationed in Iran and Afganistan in the 1960’s. Historic art as souvenier. They’d been in the USA for 50 years. Not a recent vandalism… The heavy stone sculptures had small zigzag hangers epoxied to the back side. Talk about hanging by a thread…

Also in the sale were Persian tiles, an embroidered jacket badge for the Imperial Country Club, Iranian jewelry. A large silver medallion caught my eye. Facing reliefs of the Shah and Richard Nixon proclaimed 100 years of friendship between Iran and the USA. I laughed out loud. That era seemed more distant and dated than the Buddha’s. What art survives as a living force and what becomes just memorabilia?

Weller decided against sending the sculptures to auction. Including them in the estate sale was easier and faster. And it changed my role from consultant to contender. I said “Put my name on the list.”

Sale day, I was there early and had a great conversation with two women about Buddhism while we waited patiently. Closer to opening time, the stairs became crowded and the energy changed. People were indignant that others were in front of them, that they had to wait at all. People cut into the line. The impatient man behind me, a dealer, had covered his entire left arm with SOLD stickers, eager to aquire more.

Doors open, I walk to the three carvings, pick up two and have my hand on the third as Mr Dealer reaches from behind me and slaps a sticker on it. Figuring I’m bigger and have three blunt objects, I say loudly, ”My hand is on it.” He responds with a loud curse and moves back.

Now I have a different problem. Flooded with adrenalin, I’ve suddenly got a bad case of the shakes and an incoming panic attack from the intensity in the crowded room. I can’t set the carvings down, cause the shark is still circling, and I can’t physically hold them for long. To have survived almost 2,000 years only to be dropped on my foot? A wide lunge to the cashier’s table, a credit card and a cardboard box, a quick exit and I’m good again.

They need metal mounts with stone bases: that’s a winter studio job. It’s so amazing to see how they’re carved and wonder if the dirt in the crevices is recent Portland dust or the dirt of the ages. For now it’s enough to be able to hold each one individually and continue to ask questions.

The Shapes of Cars at the Portland Art Museum

George Heath

The Portland Art Museum has had two car shows that I’ve attended. Both emphasized design as well as engineering and in the case of the latter how engineering and design can go hand in hand.

The earlier exhibit was called, “The Allure of the Automobile”. Some of those designs were startling. All of them were gorgeous. For example the 1938 Hispano-Suiza Dubonnet Xenia. It was built in France under contract to the Spanish Hispano-Suiza company. There is only one. This is the first car to have a curved windshield. It is a marvel to behold.

Also in that earlier car exhibit was a Bugatti Type 57 Atalante Coupe It looks like a hornet. A well- dressed hornet on its way to somewhere classy – perhaps to go see F. Scott and Zelda. That’s a 1933 Pierce Arrow there in the background. There are 3 left of that model. You can still buy a Pierce Arrow. They come with ladders and fire hoses these days.

The current exhibit is “The Shape of Speed”. It will be up until Sept. 16th, 2018. Having seen the previous car display I was anxious to go as I had since become something of a fan of 1930s cars. My favorite of all time was the 1937 Talbot-Lago 150c SS. To my mind the most beautiful car ever made and one the beautiful things ever made period. There are 9, all different colors. The maroon one was my favorite. There it was, right there. I could have gotten in before they had a chance to stop me. Other wonders competed for attention.

You’ll see a bluish silvery thing behind the Talbot. That’s another Bugatti. There was only one, a prototype that has been lost though there were pictures. An early chassis was found that had a proper serial number. There was an engine in an unopened box. All they needed was to reconstruct the body using only the pictures for reference. The body on the original was a magnesium alloy called elektron. Welding magnesium wasn’t possible then, barely possible now so it’s riveted together. Isn’t that a great name though? Elektron. Buck Roger’s helmet was made of elektrons.

Sadly the designers neglected to incorporate windows that could open so it was impossibly stuffy and hot in there. You see the insanely wealth suffer too.

This is the thirties. The depression was raging. There was civil war in Spain, Germany is getting scary. Guernica. A great war is coming yet designers are sculpting cars that look amazing 80 years later. These are revolutionary times for car design. Speaking of Germany Mercedes is also experimenting with streamlining at the time though in a more intimidating manner. Cars as sculpture send a message as does any sculpture. The Mercedes looks to be about dominance. Maybe I am reading too much into it but it looks like it’s angry and in pain. Like a bully.

I will not close with that but a lovely little thing designed to look like a plane but looks more like a carp with a hernia. I’m being unfair. It looks like a dugong. It was meant to be a car for the masses and in a promotional drive around the country it did very well. Having only three wheels it was far easier and cheaper to make rigid structure. It got 43 mpg and was to sell for $300 new. It was just too weird to catch on.

In any case I highly recommend a visit to see how good it can be when designers get things right.

The Belly – An interactive art installation of art in public places

Art Installation by Aim Axon

The senses, how enticing, visceral, our primal instincts… unnourished. The Belly was created to awaken our healthy and innate urges within ourselves, within nature itself. A 20 minute sensory experience crafted to open doors, unlocking the tight control that represses and denies the very essence of who we are and the Earth we live on.

Alisa Looney experiencing The Belly - an art installation by Aim Axion. — Alisa Looney experiencing The Belly

Into the chaotic jungle, through angles of bamboo, near the mind altering glows, enter The Belly. Feet undressed, pass through the veil, greeted by one glowing light. The ground soft, inviting a seat ~ lay ~ crawl ~ stretch. Look around, Earth is hiding in the darkness. Trees, flowers, scents of rosemary, lavender, and lemon. The sky has an underground feeling, wet and mountainous. Come closer to the light, see your reflection. Put your skin in the Earth and Water…touch your body…the elements so wonderful, so giving, have you forgotten?

It wasn’t who she thought she knew, but who they used to be
She whispered to the wind at night, preserving bits of memory…
Excerpt from the poem written by Jessica Stroia

Vibrating sound surrounds, undulating in emotional spectrum: fear, anger, repression, hunger, sexuality, ecstasy, sensuality, gentleness, unknowing, meditation, renewal. All here, seeping and pouring through our souls like the streams and rushes of Water.

Photo of The Belly - an art installation by Aim Axion.

As experiencers came out of The Belly with mud on their faces and a curious look in their eye, many greeted me with warm hugs. Some expressed they had feelings of being in the womb, being deep within and tending to the core. Being in a mystical and sacred place, similar to a sweat lodge. Being close to Earth’s weaving roots…

This journey has been so fruitful and fulfilling. Thank you all who interacted and took a moment to feel.

Musical appearances by:

• Nature – Spirit, Fire, Air, Water, Earth, the Crow and native birds

• Amber Metz (Aim Axon) – Composition and recording, female vocals, planetary patterns, bamboo, tingsha bells, chimes, xylophone, Tibetan singing bowls, wood drumming, rainstick, gong, whistles, effects

• Dave Gonzo – Dejembe drumming, bamboo, Rick Gregg’s bells

• Matt Weiers – Clarinet, flute, xylophone

• Chayo Wilson – Tibetan singing bowl, bells, xylophone

• Andy Kennedy – Male throat singing

Listen in a quiet and dark space at » www.aimaxon.bandcamp.com

Special thanks to:

The elements for nourishing our very existence, allowing us to feel the senses and experience this stay on Earth.

Andy Kennedy for stoking the fire to this conscious experiment, for being an intriguing collaborator and a whimsically supporting hand. Andy, thank you for creating the engaging jungle atmosphere outside The Belly room, which encouraged the audience to touch – play – wonder – let go.

Also within the jungle, Craig Dorety for lending his hallucination chamber and Joseph Cartino for his indigenous dangling decor.

Chayo Wilson for her spiritual guidance and all around kindness and support.

Matt Weiers for sharing audio knowledge and lending his recording equipment and handsomely crafted singing bowls.

Dave Gonzo for harnessing the essential and primal animalistic forces.

Jessica Stroia for her surreal poetry, elegant flower reef and veil decor.

Terri Elioff for her excellent seamstress skills that made the ground oh so comfortable.

Jennifer Corio and Art at the Cave gallery for making the use of this space possible.

And of course, to the Pacific NW Sculptors who donated materials and for their artistic encouragement.