FEATURE SCULPTURE and the INFERNO ART FOUNDRY, INC. Union City, GA Founded by sculptor Phillip Hutzelman FEATURED SCULPTORS PHILLIP HUTZELMAN ~ Union City, GA NNAMDI OKONKWO ~ Fayetteville, GA ANDY DAVIS ~ McDonough, GA arts&expressions magazine 17
FEATURE: THE INFERNO ART FOUNDRY Phillip Hutzelman Casts Beauty at his Inferno Art Foundry hen you bring together the sensitivity Wof an accomplished artist with the skill of a craftsman, it s magic. Not only has Phillip Hutzelman developed that magical touch, he shares it with other sculptors at Inferno Art Foundry in Union City, GA, where he serves as owner and president. I ve always had a love of nature and wanted to bring my vision alive in a large scale, he says. I knew that bronze would be the best material to achieve my vision due to its strength and durability, so I started a foundry at my home in Newnan. As my client base and demand grew, the foundry grew until it developed into Inferno Art Foundry. For over 20 years, Inferno Art Foundry has specialized in expert mold making. The staff is comprised of qualified artists with experience in bronze and aluminum casting through lost wax process, various patinations and sculpture restoration. Sculptors throughout the region and across the US trust that their visions will be achieved at the foundry. Some of the major works that have received care at Inferno Art Foundry are: Alan Shepard, by Robert Rasmussen, installed at the US Astronaut Hall of Fame in Titusville, FL Flag Bearer Mississippi 11th, by William Beckwith, installed at Gettysburg National Military Park in Gettysburg, PA Ray Charles, by Andy Davis, installed at the Ray Charles Plaza in Albany, GA, and By Elizabeth Weaver Wright Brothers National Memorial, by Stephen Smith, installed at Kill Devil Hills, NC. Michelle Henry, Inferno Art Foundry secretary, points out that sculptors are welcome to participate in much of the process to ensure their satisfaction. We carefully consider each aspect of the artwork, from scale to surface details, and we make sure to capture every nuance, whether we re working with a monument or miniature. The Inferno Art Foundry Sculpture Garden features some of Phillip s artwork, which has a symbiotic relationship with nature. The Box Series is one of his latest works. It appeals to the psychological and physical forces acting in all of us, he explains. These forces act as transformational experiences, much like evolving seasons. A native of Indiana, Phillip followed his love of nature and studied Marine Biology and Art before making the commitment to pursue his passion for art. After receiving his MFA from Washington University in St. Louis, he gained valuable experience working in commercial foundries. Phillip moved to Georgia in 1987 and began pursuing his passion as an independent artist. Some of his more recent exhibitions include Green Space, a show at Perimeter College and Eyedrum Contemporary Arts Center. He also does regular lectures and demonstrations at Sloss Southern Conference on Cast Art and workshops at Emory University. 18 arts&expressions magazine
SCULPTOR ARTIST PHILLIP HUTZELMAN Artwork by Sculptor Phillip Hutzelman, founder of Inferno Art Foundry. Inc. Above: from the Portal Series Below: from the Box Series To contact Phillip Hutzelman: philinfernoart@earthlink.net or visit: www.infernoartfoundry.com Phillip will be showing some of his sculpture at The Centre for Performing and Visual Arts, Newnan Fire and Stone Exhibit, October 5 26 arts&expressions magazine 19
SCULPTOR ARTIST NNAMDI OKONKWO namdi Okonkwo s sculptures are beautifully Nsimple and stylized, but they contain a depth of spirit that immediately embraces anyone who encounters them. His success means that people across the U.S. are touched by his art, since his works are found in galleries and gardens throughout the country. Some of the galleries displaying Nnamdi s sculptures are: Act 1 Gallery in Taos, NM; Nicole Gallery in Chicago, IL; Phoenix Gallery in Park City, UT; and Waxlander Gallery in Santa Fe, NM. The sculptor explains that his thoughts and ideas are embodied in fluid lines and simple shapes, and that his proportions are based on his personal ideal of beauty and balance. My figures, instead of being confined to a model, become a symbol of humanity, he says. I avoid distractions of any extraneous details that do not add to the beauty of the whole design. Attitudes, gestures and overall composition are of primary importance to me. The rotund forms symbolize abundant life, an outward manifestation of a largeness of soul, Nnamdi adds. All his sculptures have a monumental feel even the miniatures because his art speaks so clearly of his motivation. My inspiration comes from the aspect of Conversation, 11 x 18 x 8 in. Sculpting Spirit By Elizabeth Weaver the human soul that I find sublimely beautiful and noble, he says. Beyond that, I am inspired by the man made as well as the natural beauty of the external world. Though his studio and home are now in Fayetteville, GA, Nnamdi is originally from Eastern Nigeria, where he says he was drawn to art from the earliest years he can remember. He earned a degree in painting in Nigeria, but after some time, he realized that sculpture, with its three-dimensional quality, was the best means for expressing himself creatively. More so in the creation of sculpture than in any other art form, I experience a joyful excitement and meaning. Sculpting is tactile; it can manipulated and shaped with my own hands rather than with brushes or tools, Nnamdi says. There s a direct connection with the clay or wax. So the love I have for sculpture is instinctive, and it s only natural that I channel my creative energy to sculpting. At about the same time he was discovering his preference for sculpture, Nnamdi was also introduced to the game of basketball, a sport well suited to his 6 9 frame. He was recruited by Brigham Young University-Hawaii and played basketball for the school from 1989 to 1993. Upon graduating with a BFA in 20 arts&expressions magazine
SCULPTOR ARTIST NNAMDI OKONKWO Sculpture, Nnamdi went on to get an MFA in Sculpture from BYU-Provo in 1997. During that time, he met and married his wife Deidra, an Idaho native with a Master of Accountancy; they now have three children. Womanhood is a prevalent aspect of Nnamdi s sculpture. He says that he s captivated by the characteristics embodied in womanhood, such as love, empathy, strength and resilience. The women closest to me, my wife and my mother, have influenced me greatly and are exemplars of these noble attributes. His art, he emphasizes, is a personal statement, a unique viewpoint formed by his life experiences. And his work, therefore, is a projection of his deep personal beliefs about the nobility and expansiveness of the human spirit. Although his sculptures are figurative, they are intensely personal, both for Nnamdi and the viewer. Because I want people to relate to my work on a personal level, I am drawn to figurative sculpture, which evokes a stronger and more convincing feeling of humanity. It is more tangible so I can create in sculpture an object that is real, something that displaces and occupies space, and can even have its own soul, evocative of a real person. Thus sculpture, I believe, is more convincing, and it is easier for people to see themselves and relate to sculpture than any other medium. Mother and Child, 24 x 21 x 17 in. Several of Nnamdi s sculptures Expectation, Tranquility II, Solemnity, Damsel and Longing II were cast, or otherwise treated, at the Inferno Art Foundry in Union City. Nnamdi says he learned about the foundry from other sculptors. I have found the people at Inferno Art Foundry dependable and easy to work with, he states. I am particularly impressed by their capacity to cast very large monumental works. For further information visit www.nnamdiart.com Contact Nnamdi at nnamdi@nnamdiart.com Ph: 404.835.7807 Solemnity, 11 x 18 x 8 in. arts&expressions magazine 21
SCULPTOR ARTIST ANDY DAVIS Sculpture of Chick-fil-A founder, Truett Cathy at Truett s Grille in Griffin, GA An Inspired Touch n his studio, the talent of Andy Davis is Iimmediately evident. The space is filled with projects in all phases of completion. There are sketches of new ideas next to photos of installed works on his wall. A full-size rendition of Hugh Hefner is in progress and a clay lighthouse is perched on a table, ready to have its final details added. There s a strong sense that Andy loves what he does and he does it very well. It s also easy to see the conscientious way he approaches the business side of art, while retaining the wonder and joy of creation evident in all his works. Big things start with big thoughts, Andy says. His art has become a big thing, especially with some of his recent notable life-size bronze sculptures: Ray Charles at the piano, installed in Charles hometown of Albany, GA; Chick-fil-A founder Truett Cathy placed at Truett s Grille in Griffin, GA; and James Radio Kennedy from the movie Radio. There s no sign of things slowing down, either. Due to his talent and business acumen, Andy has projects lined up for the next three to four years. While many artists either don t know or don t care about the practical side of the sculpting, Andy says that it s an aspect of the art business that he approaches as willingly as the artistic side. He normally finds a way to finance and promote his sculptures before he begins to work the clay. As he says, I usually wait to move on a project until it has legs. I figure out how By Elizabeth Weaver to promote and pay for the time I spend on a sculpture. That means finding the market, setting up the meetings and so on. Andy draws on his earlier experiences, having owned two businesses before becoming a full-time sculptor, and draws inspiration from other successful artists. Many of our best painters and sculptors were also good business people Peter Maxwell, Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol, he adds. A Rotarian, Andy is always on the lookout for opportunities to reach out to the community and involve them in his art. While sculpting the Ray Charles statue, several blind students were brought into the studio to get a hands-on experience. It was especially meaningful for them to be involved with the statue of a blind man who loved his music and overcame his lack of sight to succeed. As a self-taught artist, Andy developed his natural talents through the years. He sculpted scale models of classic cars in the mid to late 1980 s and has evolved into a major celebrated artist who works on subjects that inspire him. Originally from Ocala, FL, Andy has lived in Georgia since 1967. His artistic sensibilities go back to his early years, Andy says. I thought I saw beings in the sky making clouds, and that the rows of clouds had been planted by the cloudmakers. I was devastated when, in first grade, I was told those rows of seedling clouds were actually vapor trails left by planes. Despite the logical explanations, 22 arts&expressions magazine
SCULPTOR ARTIST ANDY DAVIS the images stuck fast in Andy s mind and have evolved into a series of sculptures he s currently working on The Cloudmakers. He says that the meticulously detailed lighthouse in his studio will grace the grounds of Light House Village (LHV) in Conyers, GA. Since 2004, LHV has provided much-needed services including a respite care home for special needs children and adults, emergency and temporary housing and services for displaced families and short-term residences for medically fragile children. Andy says, The lighthouse sculpture will be there when people pull in, in need of shelter and a safe haven. My hope is that when they see the beacon in this lighthouse, they ll know that they re safe and feel encouraged. Another project in the works is a full-size sculpture of Hugh Hefner that has special meaning for Andy because of Hefner s relentless defense of the freedom of artistic expression. Hef fought a big battle and paved the road for a lot of good, Andy says, then admits. I believe that my art should glorify the Ultimate Creator and one of His most spectacular creations the beauty and grandeur of the human form, Andy continues. I take comfort in knowing that I m doing what I was born to do, to honor the craft of sculpture by producing the most meaningful artwork I possibly can. Above: Sculpture of Ray Charles at the Piano installed in Charles hometown of Albany, GA. Below: Davis is currently working on a meticulously designed lighthouse sculpture for the grounds of Light House Village in Conyers, GA. Andy has used Inferno Art Foundry for his sculptures that require hot castings. He says that the foundry is a great assistant because the staff is made up of artists. They assist me to achieve just what I ve envisioned for my final product. For further information visit www.andydavisgallery.com Contact Andy Davis at andy.davis@andydavisgallery.com Ph: 404.429.7708 arts&expressions magazine 23