e-mail tjdurham@comcast.net

Artist Statement

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ARTIST STATEMENT

My sculptures and drawings display a genuine interest and knowledge of the human figure, incorporating aspects of the human psyche with a personalized mythology. They are filled with pathos,humor, and an overall individualized look at life. The works are heightened with emotional expression by combining a classical stylization with a surreal and symbolic imagery. In addition, the allegorical aspects of the sculptures show a complexity of life with movement, composition and a sophisticated modeling of the figure. At times, to bring even more narrative to the work,architectural facades have been added. This introduces a theatrical quality that imbues more drama to the sculpture and exemplifies the theatrics of our everyday life.
My work has always been influenced by literature, observation of life and an early introduction to art. Though pursuing a higher education in art and teaching for numerous years at UCLA, University Of Minnesota, and the College of Charleston, my style and modeling skills of the figure are self taught. My first real introduction to art began with a visit as a child to the New York World's Fair. Upon seeing Michelangelo's Florentine Pieta I was overwhelmed with a powerful desire to create images with feeling. I picked up pencil and paper taught myself how to draw and eventualy, turned my hand towards sculpture, which was natural since the drawings were sculptural in design. Hopefully, the work still holds these early influences and show more that I have picked up during my years of study and at the same time displays an individuality that you find exciting.

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