Featured Sculptor 2010-2011:  Val Welman

"Concentric Contortions"
Steel

Interview of Val Welman, January 2006

Artist Statement

"....My work reflects a desire to synthesize the interplay between process, imagination and feelings.  After studying formal trends and concepts along with the techniques,...it seemed futile to adopt them all and not really necessary to adopt any.  However, these early studies led to exploring personal ideas concerning not only concepts toward painting, but the procedures of art ways. An attitude of wanting my work to express inventiveness rather than perfecting a 'formalism of identity' evolved the approach.

My major concern has been to not allow subject matter, color, theory, ideology nor desire to label the efforts, to interfere with the creative urge.  This is a severe personal challenge relying on emotional response and composure, adjusting to changing results as they develop.

The commitment to perform on these terms without resorting to formal tricks and concepts means constantly adopting new demands. Patience is the sustaining force."

Featured Sculptor 2008:  Bill Wilson

"Pseudorandom"           rusted steel

"Orpheus"                                        powder coated recycled steel

Bill Wilson is a teacher and self taught artist. His work covers 20 years of exploration in artistically reclaiming cast off steel.  He has lived in the Northwest most of his life (that would be 32 of his 58 years.)

In the 1960's and 70's , in Cleveland , Ohio and Seattle, Washington, he worked in machine shops.  This left a lasting impression on him and in the following ten years he sold hand crafted lamps.  Everything that he made during this time was mathematically determined.  Geometry was the key to everything that he created.

In 1985, it became necessary for Bill to join the "above ground economy" to support his young family.  He returned to college and earned his teaching degree.  He currently works part time in a correctional facility with incarcerated youth aged 9 through 18.

Bill uses recycled materials in his work because of the cost and availability.  He enjoys the surface texture of these materials. 

Bill's work is mostly nonrepresentational.

     Featured Sculptor  2007:

          Georganna Malloff

Georganna carving "Fountain of Youth"

Born in Michigan in 1936, Georganna showed at an early age that she was creatively gifted. She was encouraged by her parents and teachers to express herself visually.  She attended Scripps College for Women, L"Ecole Etrangeres at the L'Universite de Grenoble, France, Wayne State University, Venice School of fine Art and the San Francisco Art Institute.

She has traveled and worked all over the world creating Cospoles that are 20 to 70 feet in height and carved in cedar or redwood.  The poles bear images related to the region's mythology, history and to her interest in nature.  Human figures, water and plant life are recurring images in her work.  Her works are strongly influenced by her classical training and her interest in the carvings of India and of Tibet.

Bodhisaitva Panel, redwood and oil paint 7x4'

These works are featured in the Papillon Gallery at Monarch.

"The Three Graces," redwood