Sculptors Gallery, Richard Collins

Statue E6 - Moment

Understanding Your New Statue:

·                     I tried to capture a moment in the life of a man and woman, just after they learn she is pregnant.  One interpretation is that the man is slighty aggressive and protective;  he is looking outward defiantly.  His left hand is casually intimate.  He feels powerful.  His right hand both protects and holds back.  The woman is drawn vulnerable, awkward and slightly shapeless.  The woman looks outward.

·                     If you have been in this situation, you will remember your own feelings.  If you have not, I tried to convey some of the many complex feelings that run through the moment.  Intimacy is switching over to child-bearing and protection.  It is a hard time as both partners change their thinking and adjust their feelings to the new situation.  She might resent his protection.

·                     I deliberately left the figures vague, to help your mind shift from feeling to feeling.  The statue is a touch stone to invoke different scenes and interpretations.

·                     One aspect of the relationship between these two, is that no matter what might be going on, the two are tightly bound  and cannot be separated.  They are coupled by bonds of stone.

Interacting with the Statue:

·                     The statue is intended to evoke feelings and memories.  As your feelings change, you should see different things in the statue.  You should see different motives, feelings and emotions.

·                     The statue should look different from different directions.  I left the direction of their gazes open, so there are at least two ways each person can be looking - depending on your viewing direction, and your feelings about the statue.

·                     Close your eyes and touch the stone. “Looking with your eyes closed” is one way you will get what I felt when I was carving.  It is the literal feel of the statue. 

·                     It is OK to touch it.  Over time the statue will pick up the oils from your hands and take on a patina of use that reflects how you, your family, and friends have interacted with the statue.  Leave it, as that is part of

·                     I like the texture of the stone so I left the statue very rough in parts, because I think people have scars like that - places in our hearts and minds where life has touched us.

·                     If you can put a mirror behind it, you will be able to see more than one side at once.  The statue is very much intended to be seen from all directions.

·                     This is the sixth in a series of statues examining the relations between two or more people.  Hundreds of images have been combined into this one statue that should evoke not just one, but many responses.  I am trying to evoke many memories, images, and feelings.  So as you meditate on this statue, each time should be different - though I expect you will have your favorite interpretations.

The Stone, Caring for the Statue:

·                     The stone is Indiana limestone.  There are places on it where the shell shows through  This is part of owning a unique natural stone carving.

·                     The stone is fairly strong.  Part of the reason for keeping it massive is so there are no weak parts sticking out.  It is supposed to be touched by children, and to survive the various things they do to things that interest them.  So if you find magic marker or crayon on the statue, leave it.  It will be a good memory.

·                     Mostly the statue should take care of itself.  The stone will absorb stains.  You can wash it with soapy water, just be sure to rinse thoroughly.  It will absorb some of the water and look darker for a while.  After it dries it will go back to its usual color.

·                     The statue is intended to last a lifetime, and to be a part of your daily life.

Richard Collins - March 2010