A Whisper of His Nature
Sculptures by Daniel Grantham
April 4 - May 8, 2008
The Holden Arboretum, Warren H. Corning Visitor Center
9500 Sperry Road
Kirtland, Ohio 44094
440-946-4400 x224
Exhibit is FREE for Holden members, gate admission is charged for non-members (parking is FREE).
See it for FREE! How? FREE Artist opening reception Friday, April 4 from 6-10 p.m.
Visit www.holdenarb.org for more details.
In my artwork, I seek to glorify God. While spending time on the grounds at Holden Arboretum, a sense of the sheer magnitude of His creation was apparent to me. This show is based on my impressions of the Arboretum, ranging from striking groupings of swaying cattails to the complexities of color found in a Monarch butterfly caterpillar. By incorporating the natural color of wood and sometimes leaving the tree’s bark intact, I wanted to give voice to life at the Arboretum as well as the trees that inspired them. Certain trees have personalities to me. Robust, thick and earthy Black Walnut, wispy, delicate Cedar, wise, almost figurative Birch, lovely, and strong Sycamore speak greatly about the piece that will emerge from them. Material is very important in this sense to me. The idea for a piece sometimes comes from the choice of wood and at times the opposite. I can use a simple wood to convey an idea, but then bring multiple woods together to bring voice to another form in creation. Color is important and the variety of Ohio woods at the Arboretum supplies a great palate. Through this medium I wanted in a sense to break down Holden Arboretum and its inhabitants to their essence. I magnify and simplify in one sculpture and then complicate and exaggerate in another. This is seen in the enlarged and minimal approaches of Caterpillar and Buckeyes, and in the shrinking of the Cattails. These are tools to help draw the viewer into my visual experience of the world, and for my own understanding of the powerful act of art that is in creation. I’m a copycat in that sense; all art is. Creation reflects the characteristics of the Lord. To me the Arboretum is a fine example of that.
| Wood Sculptures by local artist Daniel Grantham posted on Friday April 04, 2008 |
Events: |
|
Add Your Event
|
|
|
|