Please take a closer look and view my sculptures in 360 degrees in Power Point. Click to download:
http://www.sculptures-jamesfletcher.com/pwrptToxins.ppt and
http://www.sculptures-jamesfletcher.com/stormy_transf.ppt
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Saturday, May 12, 2007
STRIKING A BALANCE BETWEEN ART AND CHARITY
Reprinted with permission of Centretown News, online, Ottawa
STRIKING A BALANCE BETWEEN ART AND CHARITY
- By Rebecca Pace
Bronze, clay, glass, wax, and other materials have transformed the Old Ottawa City Hall on Sussex Drive into a sculptural mecca. Dimensions 2006, an annual exhibit presented by the National Capital Network of Sculptors, explores a theme entitled A Fine Balance, says Mitchell Webster, sculptor and Network president.
The Network, a non-profit founded in 1984, is an association where local professional and amateur sculptors meet once a month to discuss their craft, share ideas, and organize the public exhibit, says Webster.
Janessa Bishop, Centretown News
A visitor of the Dimensions 2006 sculpture exhibit gazes at a piece on display at the OldOttawaCity Hall“
The National Capital Network of Sculptors organizes the show because sculpture is diverse and covers many different media,” he says. “But we really just want to raise appreciation and awareness of this art form.” The association’s 23rd exhibit consists of 25 sculptures individually created by members, who were invited to explore interpretations of equilibrium and balance. Webster has three pieces in the show and says his work reflects the exhibit’s title because it’s “an exploration into spiritual and philosophical balance,” and “a look into the balance between good and evil.”
James Fletcher, a Network member, has four pieces on display and says his work is based on deep stories and the impossible. One of his sculptures, entitled Six Blind Men and the Elephant, tells the ancient Indian fable of how reality may differ depending on the eye of the beholder, he says.
“Whether I’m successful, I don’t know, it depends on the viewer,” says Fletcher. “But I hope people look at my art and say, ‘What the hell is it?’” The exhibit represents the best work of the association as each piece was chosen by a panel of prominent Canadian art experts, says Webster. Eleanor Milne, a panel member, was Canada’s first female dominion sculptor. As such, she was responsible for Parliament Hill’s sculptural work from 1962 until her retirement in 1993. She says she was impressed by the individuality expressed in each piece. As a panelist, “I don’t base my judgment on technical merit,” says Milne. “I try to understand what the artist is saying to me as a viewer.” And viewers are flocking to the show.
Webster says the success of the exhibit has surpassed his own expectations – especially the exhibit’s Oct. 12 opening night, which was attended by over 200 people. He says he can only hope the exhibit’s Oct. 26 auction will be as well-attended. The money raised from the auctioned sculptures will be donated this year to the Boys & Girls Club of Ottawa and will help fund the Club’s arts programming. The Network, he says, has already raised $2,000 for the organization. Webster says the reaction from the public is positive. “As artists, we spend a lot of time working alone and don’t get a lot of accolades,” he says. “So it’s nice to share our work because sculpture is the way we communicate our thoughts and ideas to the public.”
Bill Lepper, a B.C. native who travels the world in search of art, says he’s impressed by the creative energy of the show. A self-described “art lover,” Lepper says the work excites him because it’s both meditative and action-oriented, but not contrived. The venue, located on the Rideau River, only adds to the exhibit, he says. “I think the setting for the show is spectacular – the water backdrop makes an ideal setting,” says Lepper. “The natural light is wonderful.”
Robin Montcalm, an “art appreciator,” says it’s great to see such a diverse mix of ideas and art coming together in one show। She says the city should offer more events like it. “I think there should be more emphasis placed on our homegrown talents artist.
Please visit James site at:
www.sculptures-jamesfletcher.com
STRIKING A BALANCE BETWEEN ART AND CHARITY
- By Rebecca Pace
Bronze, clay, glass, wax, and other materials have transformed the Old Ottawa City Hall on Sussex Drive into a sculptural mecca. Dimensions 2006, an annual exhibit presented by the National Capital Network of Sculptors, explores a theme entitled A Fine Balance, says Mitchell Webster, sculptor and Network president.
The Network, a non-profit founded in 1984, is an association where local professional and amateur sculptors meet once a month to discuss their craft, share ideas, and organize the public exhibit, says Webster.
Janessa Bishop, Centretown News
A visitor of the Dimensions 2006 sculpture exhibit gazes at a piece on display at the OldOttawaCity Hall“
The National Capital Network of Sculptors organizes the show because sculpture is diverse and covers many different media,” he says. “But we really just want to raise appreciation and awareness of this art form.” The association’s 23rd exhibit consists of 25 sculptures individually created by members, who were invited to explore interpretations of equilibrium and balance. Webster has three pieces in the show and says his work reflects the exhibit’s title because it’s “an exploration into spiritual and philosophical balance,” and “a look into the balance between good and evil.”
James Fletcher, a Network member, has four pieces on display and says his work is based on deep stories and the impossible. One of his sculptures, entitled Six Blind Men and the Elephant, tells the ancient Indian fable of how reality may differ depending on the eye of the beholder, he says.
“Whether I’m successful, I don’t know, it depends on the viewer,” says Fletcher. “But I hope people look at my art and say, ‘What the hell is it?’” The exhibit represents the best work of the association as each piece was chosen by a panel of prominent Canadian art experts, says Webster. Eleanor Milne, a panel member, was Canada’s first female dominion sculptor. As such, she was responsible for Parliament Hill’s sculptural work from 1962 until her retirement in 1993. She says she was impressed by the individuality expressed in each piece. As a panelist, “I don’t base my judgment on technical merit,” says Milne. “I try to understand what the artist is saying to me as a viewer.” And viewers are flocking to the show.
Webster says the success of the exhibit has surpassed his own expectations – especially the exhibit’s Oct. 12 opening night, which was attended by over 200 people. He says he can only hope the exhibit’s Oct. 26 auction will be as well-attended. The money raised from the auctioned sculptures will be donated this year to the Boys & Girls Club of Ottawa and will help fund the Club’s arts programming. The Network, he says, has already raised $2,000 for the organization. Webster says the reaction from the public is positive. “As artists, we spend a lot of time working alone and don’t get a lot of accolades,” he says. “So it’s nice to share our work because sculpture is the way we communicate our thoughts and ideas to the public.”
Bill Lepper, a B.C. native who travels the world in search of art, says he’s impressed by the creative energy of the show. A self-described “art lover,” Lepper says the work excites him because it’s both meditative and action-oriented, but not contrived. The venue, located on the Rideau River, only adds to the exhibit, he says. “I think the setting for the show is spectacular – the water backdrop makes an ideal setting,” says Lepper. “The natural light is wonderful.”
Robin Montcalm, an “art appreciator,” says it’s great to see such a diverse mix of ideas and art coming together in one show। She says the city should offer more events like it. “I think there should be more emphasis placed on our homegrown talents artist.
Please visit James site at:
www.sculptures-jamesfletcher.com
Why do I create sculptures?
Initially, I want my viewers to look at my sculptures and say “What the bleep is that?”
Then I would like them to be intrigued enough to look more and walk around the entire sculpture to really take the time to figure it out, interpret it, and reflect upon what they have seen. Some of my sculptural styles range from the Classical ideal of allegorical figure representation, to the Romantic principle of expressing emotional states through Form. Impressionist effects come from dependence on the way light falls upon the forms to suggest musculature and bone structure. Therefore I enjoy expanding this impression of form to express the inner condition of humanity.
Often I enjoy sculpting clouds just for the fun of it!
Sometimes I avoid being too literal or representational by showing the suspended or fleeting moment or I use unnatural distortions and parts of figures to suggest human striving against fateful forces thereby creating emotional or psychological effects.
Favorite sculptors?
Egyptian, Greek Cycladic, Hellenistic Greek, Michelangelo, Bernini, Barye, Rodin, Boccocini, Brancusi, Giacometti and Hans Arp. As you can see, in the past Sculpture was the most used and popular form of Art, from the very Ancient times to modern days for a very good reason: it's most everlasting and monumental character. Without the Acadian, Assyrian, Babylonian, Egyptian, Persian monuments and Art sculptures, Archeology and history in general would not be the same.
Please keep visiting this Blog - there is so much untapped potential in this visual art-form, the computers are robbing us from the beauty and glory of a good, everlasting Sculpture.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
