the 3 dimensionality of sculpture and refers to the feeling of depth. Space can be negative or positive. Positive space is the actual space that is occupied by the material. Negative space is the areas surrounding the primary object and often times is just as interesting, if not more, than the positive space itself. A prime example of negative space is the feel and look of the negative spaces created by the flow and juxtaposition of the elements of Kevin Robb’s contemporary sculpt"Whimsical Dances" 10 feet in heightures, particularly in the stainless steel sculpture “Whimsical Dances”. The importance of the space not occupied is a true strength of this sculpture.
The attached picture is a great example of sculptures and statues. The center sculpture is a bronze sculpture created by Kevin Robb titled “Radical 2” and is fabulous as a focal point in this garden. The statues surrounding the pool are human figures. The design of this garden is a fun example of utilizing both.
Just having fun with the English language, you can sculpt (verb) and work as a sculptor (noun) but you certainly can’t stat(verb ??) and work as a stator (noun ???)
But then, don’t we stop to think and enjoy the view when we find a good perch, ourselves? The adventurous young climber tests out limbs until he makes it to the top and enjoys a victorious surveillance of his new realm, and the unhurried hiker looks for a place to rest and listen to the wind in the leaves, or, the whispers of the heart.
Good art moves our minds to leave our bodies behind in flights of imagination and intellect. They provide places to perch while our thoughts are elsewhere, roaming the world in search of truth, the best home for our souls.
But, thankfully, we don’t need to leave behind fecal matter to show our appreciation for such wonders.
Guest blogger Sarah Ampleman
feelings. These are invaluable opinions! Then once in a while a person will come along, shares their unsolicited opinion, and I feel as if they truly grasp what I am saying through my metal sculpting, thoroughly understands what is involved in creating a stainless steel sculpture. A gentleman visited the studio a while back, spending time looking at the contemporary metal sculptures I have created, and in his thank you note shared the following: “I was literally inspired by the incredible grace and composition of every work observed, each one unique and telling a different story. I especially like how “organically” he crafts surface/volume with such a difficult medium as sheets of metal, including an amazing sense of movement and body that almost breathes … some even remind me of musical instruments. Simply spectacular, no other words fit. He’s so humble in conversation, but a genuine artist, in the truest sense.”
