The Cloverdale Arts Alliance has dedicated the “Best of Show” award to the late Al Voigt in recognition of his contribution to public art and to his support of this Exhibit. On June 4th, after the judges made their determinations, the Opening Reception was held and the awards were presented:
- Al Voigt Best of Show: Paul Van Lith, “Two Women”
- Honorable Mention: Robert Holmes, “Pos/Neg Leaning”
- Honorable Mention: Stan Huncilman, “La Menyna”
Congratulations to those receiving awards, and to all of the artists who are featured in this juried Exhibit:
Joe Bologna
Three of a Kind
Painted Steel (red)
Three well-built “hunky” men (although mere stick figures) demonstrate a special gymnastic feat, requiring exceptional strength and balance.
Eric Furman
Yellow Lightning
Painted Aluminum Steel Base
Yellow Lightning must stand on its own. I can tell you some of what inspired me to create this sculpture and a little bit about my sense of ascetics, but you, the viewer, are the ultimate arbitrator of both meaning and value. Much of my motivation to create sculpture comes from the contrasts I see in nature – contrasts both harmonious and discordant. In Yellow Lightning, the segmented yellow vane contrasts sharply with the smoothly curving blue body. To me, Yellow Lightning’s blue arc is reminiscent of the overpowering curvature I feel when seeing the early evening sky and the rotating yellow vane an expression of a lightning bolt in action. Natural powered kinetic sculptures are very attractive to me as their interaction with the elements somehow brings both me and my work closer to the Northern California landscape where I live.
Gerard Kirk Harris
I Spy Something Tall and Green
Steel Screen
I Spy Something Tall and Green began with a bush, which had a zigzag shaped trunk. That was one of those shapes which spoke to me. From there, through several tries, the rectangle felt like a good companion for the zigzag. Then the zigzag repeated inside the rectangles as the branches. The screen seemed like a natural to fill in, and the holes in the screen became not just holes but openings between the branches.
Virginia Harrison
Chicago Blues
Woven Bronze
Chicago Blues was conceived at a blues club in Chicago as I was floating on the music of Little Milton. I sketched the shape and some years later I was able to execute it using bronze wire. It is the first sculpture of size that I attempted and I find it still evokes the feelings that I experienced in the blues club.
Beth Hartmann
Column 1, Column 2
Steel
This work is created from heat-treated scrap steel. Each small piece is designed and formed, and then the “bark” pieces are welded together to construct the whole. I am considering the beauty of structures in nature as they return to the earth. Yes, to some, this piece speaks to global warming issues, but sometimes it just is what it is.
Robert Holmes
Pos/Neg Leaning
Bronze
My work is my statement. I don’t believe that words go very far in describing sculpture. I would rather let people see my work itself and interact with it in their own way.
Stan Huncilman
La Menyna
Welded steel, fiberglass
This sculpture is an exercise in composition using Picasso’s Las Meninas as the inspiration.
David Mudgett
Grasp
Fabricated steel, cast concrete
Like many of my works, this sculpture titled “Grasp” was inspired by materials on hand. Having just finished an extremely large pipe manifold system for industry, I was left with an array of large curved steel cut outs. With a strong desire to begin sculpting the cutouts and no clear vision for a piece coming to mind I decided to dive in blindly and see where it took me. With the freedom to take the piece in any direction as ideas surfaced, this approach proved to be a valuable exercise. Normally engineering each piece before I ever touch a tool I discovered I could engineer along the way. Liberated by this experience I gained the confidence to dive in occasionally and see where it takes me.
Susandra Spicer
Altared Circularity
Metal assemblage
An altar revering circular aspects is suggested. Patterned designs are created with minimal alteration of found objects. Implied reference to cutting work, patterned saw blade and serrated scythe cutting bar.
Bryan Tedrick
The Rest
Steel, stone, redwood
I find all my sculptures have a personality underlying the form. This steel, stone and redwood composition depicts a figure resting. Alert and watchful, this personality is nevertheless at ease. Just as everything an artist makes is ultimately a reflection of themselves this figure mirrors my need to pause occasionally, staying centered and conscious, yet remaining ready for action should the need arise. It echoes someone emerging from meditation, about to reengage the outer world. When I look at this sculpture it helps me to become of like mind.
Paul Van Lith
Two Women
Stucco and cast concrete
I wanted to show two women relying on a shared history.