artists statement

[grossman@zzzzzzzzz]

Greetings carvers - I hope that everyone had a happy new year and holiday
season. I've become interested in exhibiting my work in galleries other
than our local ones and am putting together a "cd portfolio" to send to
regional/national galleries (any suggestions would be appreciated).  At
any rate, all of these places require an "Artist's Statement" so I've
written the one below.  Let me know what you think and whether you feel
this is an accurate description of my work (you can take a look at my web
site for comparison).  Perhaps this should be back channel unless the
comments will help others in writing their own statements. TIA, g2

Carving stone is an artistically satisfying yet physically demanding
enterprise.  I carve stone for many reasons, the most significant being
the ability to bring forth an aesthetically, emotionally and
intellectually pleasing sculpture from a chunk of rock.  Many
characteristics of stone appeal to me, in particular, variations in grain,
hardness, color and texture.  Rather than concentrate on a single type of
stone, I carve everything from soapstone to marble so that I can match the
characteristics of the stone to the traits of a given sculpture.  I tend
to carve smaller sculptures that can be displayed in most homes or
offices.  These carvings have an intimacy not present in monumental work
and beckon to be touched.  It is the multi-dimensional nature of stone
sculpture, its tactile sensuality coupled with arresting imagery that
engage both carvers and collectors alike.  My own work is strongly
influenced by a cubist expressionistic aesthetic that reduces shape to its
essential form via curves and edges.  Details are suggestive rather than
explicit.  I work in both representational and abstract imagery, and enjoy
the multiple interpretations that my work elicits in different viewers.  I
maintain an active web site and my work can be viewed at
http://www.negia.net/~grossman/  .

Gary D. Grossman
Distinguished Research Professor - Animal Ecology
http://www.arches.uga.edu/~grossman/

G. Grossman Fine Art
http://www.negia.net/~grossman/