Kennedy?s Scottish ancestry makes him most proud even though he currently resides in Palm Springs, California. In his early years he grew up in India and recalls many fond memories of his time spent there and admits to the influences this experience has had on his art. The graceful, lithe figures portrayed in Spirit of Learning reflect the temples of India and the people Kennedy remembers so well. The figures seem to be moving in a joyous dance reminiscent of Matisse?s Dance. This piece of sculpture was especially commissioned for State Fair Community College and the artist stated that his inspiration for the piece came from a speech he recalled in the 1980’s movie, Dead Poet?s Society. Robin Williams plays the main character in this film and he portrays a professor. Kennedy liked the message of a speech William?s character gave to his students before they left school. In the speech the professor tells his students to be sure and remember to have fun in life and to especially remember the poetry in life. The artist reflected on this simple bit of advice when he created Spirit of Learning.
Bronze
Reclining Figure
Born the son of a coal miner, Moore attended the Leeds School of Art and the Royal College of Art in London in the early 1920s. He served as a part-time instructor at the Royal College of Art from 1932-1939. His greatest influences growing up were the Classical, pre-Classical, African and pre-Columbian art. He often visited the British Museum while he was growing up. Moore developed as a mature artist during the years he was an instructor at the Royal College of Art. The style which he became known for is not considered purely abstract since it appears too humanistic. His works probe the viewer?s psychic and have an obvious primitiveness about them. The Toltec sculpture of Chac-Mool, the Mexican Rain Spirit inspired Moore when he made one of his early masterpieces in sculpture, the 1929 Reclining Figure. In this seventh edition completed in 1939, Moore holds to his belief of remaining true to his materials. The principle of staying true to one?s materials evolved during the English Arts and Crafts movement. The image of the reclining figure dominated much of Moore?s work. He did versions of it in wood, stone and cast metal.
Thermi
Steiner was part of a group of artists called Bennington School because of his association with Bennington College. Many students from Bennington became imitators of the sculpture artist,Anthony Caro. Caro was influenced by the art critic Clement Greenberg and worked in a narrow aesthetic and formal style. Steiner?s work echoes elegance and reflects the formal qualities of his predecessor, Anthony Caro. The Vulcan is an example of the artist putting abstract theory into effect without regard to practical difficulties. One can see the impracticalities of this work and appreciate the skill and thought that went into making it. Instead of using scrap metal like many sculpture artists, Steiner makes his own pieces. He merges these hand-crafted pieces till they look like something. In his more recent works Steiner exhibits his use of hand-crafted objects by integrating them till they become a unified whole.
Vulcan
Steiner was part of a group of artists called Bennington School because of his association with Bennington College. Many students from Bennington became imitators of the sculpture artist,Anthony Caro. Caro was influenced by the art critic Clement Greenberg and worked in a narrow aesthetic and formal style. Steiner?s work echoes elegance and reflects the formal qualities of his predecessor, Anthony Caro. The Vulcan is an example of the artist putting abstract theory into effect without regard to practical difficulties. One can see the impracticalities of this work and appreciate the skill and thought that went into making it. Instead of using scrap metal like many sculpture artists, Steiner makes his own pieces. He merges these hand-crafted pieces till they look like something. In his more recent works Steiner exhibits his use of hand-crafted objects by integrating them till they become a unified whole.