Celebration of the Human Form
 Celebration
of the Human Form:
Exclusive Sculpture Works of R Jackson Ferch,
ELEMENIUM Sculpture & Design
Kennedy Promotions LLC / Kennedy Publishing
5251-18 John Tyler Highway #311,
Williamsburg, VA 23185
www.bestofartists.com
$35.00, plus shipping and handling
About the Book
Kennedy Publishing has chosen the Sculpture of R Jackson Ferch for
International Representation and Sponsorship for 2011-2012. The book is
approximately 55 pages of high graphic stock, and features multiple
views of most of the works R Jackson Ferch has produced in the past
twenty years. The book will be distributed to collectors World Wide. The
book contains an ISBN, and is listed in “Books in Print” at your local
book store and libraries.
NOTE: You may also view the book online, at
www.bestofartists.com. You may purchase a copy online from R. Jackson Ferch on this "ELEMENIUM: Sculpture & Design" website. The
price is $35.00, plus shipping and handling, from
CCNow,
our online retailer.
|
Foreword
It is my honor and pleasure to introduce Jackson Ferch, a very
talented artist and a kind and generous friend. Having known Jackson for
over 34 years, I am a witness to his growth and development as an
artist-sculptor. I was there when he first tentatively pushed a lump of
clay around on that fateful night, witnessed his joyous amazement at his
hidden artistic talents, shared his pride at being named “Best in Show”
at an arts competition, and truly understood what it took for him to
create each piece of sculpture. Jackson has a unique perspective on our
world and its beauty that he wishes to share with the rest of us. In his
own words, "Sculpting the image of the human form, with all of its
anomalies, has been my life ambition."
American society has undergone a profound demographic shift in its
history and Jackson's sculptures reflect that reality. He clarifies, "I
see in humans a rich mixture of many ethnicities, giving us a wonderful
diverse profile, which I try to express in my sculpture." That said, in
his figurative sculptures, we detect distinct and blended racial-ethnic
facial features, showcasing his appreciation for the glorious richness
of our own culture and those of others. This interconnectedness of
humanity is eloquently expressed in his Chinese vase titled, "We are all
one family."
Jackson is a talented, self-taught, artist-sculptor with a unique
voice in pursuit of sensual beauty in nature and the human form. While
his sculptures are objectively beautiful and appealing, they have been
thoughtfully fashioned to inspire and illuminate our personal
inner-life, and to provoke questions in us. In his art, Jackson explores
basic, primal and emotional themes that are provocatively relevant in
modern society. Within the hard chiseled stone of his sculpture often
breathes a spirit inviting scrutiny and touch. It is impossible to view
one of his pieces (eg. El Nino) without wanting to caress its surfaces,
walk around it to enjoy its different perspectives, and contemplate both
its explicit and subtle messages. His sculpture has soul and genuinely
engages the viewer.
Jackson’s sculptures are relevant, contemporary and timeless. In
addition to his obvious celebration of the human form, his creations
often speak to current social issues like the worldwide HIV-AIDS
epidemic, the role of Native Americans in US culture, fatherhood,
multiculturalism and diversity, to name a few. For instance, in his
series "Not Forgotten," he has produced ten busts of men of every
race-ethnicity to commemorate our first and heaviest casualties in the
global war on HIV-AIDS.
In "Ojibwe" Jackson celebrates the Chippewa Native American tribe
that lived around the western end of Lake Superior in North Central
United States. The Ojibwe was one of the largest and most powerful Great
Lakes tribes in North America. "Ojibwe" means "Original Man," and
Jackson's choice of subject and name is intentional. This sculpture of
an Ojibwe youth with multiethnic facial features suggests that we are a
mixture of diverse races, ethnicities and cultures, which easily
explains the unique pattern of biological variation among us. Born on
the same planet, covered by the same skies, we must learn to live and
survive together, Jackson suggests.
“El Nino" celebrates the tension between tender vulnerability and
masculine strength. It depicts a father holding his newborn child.
Fatherhood, one of the most anticipated stages of life, ushers the male
into full adulthood. Although, being a father may mean sleepless nights
and increased responsibility, rarely does a new father deny the joy that
a newborn baby brings to his life. Jackson has successfully captured
this profound, cherished moment.
His latest creation, "Spark of Old Souls" celebrates that rare but
magical moment when we meet someone for the first time, but
instinctively feel that we have known the person for a very long time.
Interestingly, each boy depicted in this piece, is ethnically different,
but is instantly familiar with the other. In this latest sculpture,
Jackson addresses the nature of reality: that time is infinite, a faux
construct of our collective minds. In "Spark of Old Souls”, he offers us
a fleeting glimpse into the non-linear fusion of the human experience
and time.
Throughout the ages, art has both shaped and reflected our society.
In this book featuring Jackson’s creations, you will find the most
delightful images of what one man has achieved and what he longs to
achieve, a living testimony to his passion to be more than himself.
Chwee-Lye Chng, Ph.D., FAAHB
Chng@unt.edu
Artist’s Statement
This book includes some of my favorite crystal and bronze sculptures.
These images reflect the influences of the people, places and cultures
from my overseas travel in the past 30 years. Facial structures and the
human form intrigue me, as I seek to uncover what makes individuals
distinctive and similar. This rich blend of multiple ethnicities in
humanity is what I try to express in my figurative sculptures.
Sculpting the image of the human form, with all of its unique
anomalies, has always been my ambition. However, it remained hidden
until I first stepped inside a friend’s art studio some 20 years ago,
and was encouraged to push clay. To my utter delight, I was amazed that
I could create in this medium. Although I have tried my hand at
two-dimensional art in the past, secretly I had always assumed that
sculpture was beyond my capabilities. That moment of epiphany
transformed me. Shortly afterwards, I resigned a professional career to
pursue my dream as a sculptor.
Early in my career I was encouraged to enter shows, so my career and
resume progressed along with my studies. Over the years, I have taught
myself how to build wood bases, finish sculptures for display, and the
tasks of case compression mold-making, and gypsum crystal and bronze
casting. After years of casting in gypsum crystal, I now cast in bronze
exclusively. Incidentally, the complicated process of mold-making and
bronze casting takes between four and six months.
I am self-taught as a sculptor. I do not imitate other artists but
have developed my personal, unique style, which gives my art a sensual
freshness that others appreciate. When I sculpt, I do not use live
models, but rather rely on the strength of my observation, reflection
and imagination. To me, creating art is an intuitive, emotional and
sensual process of harmonizing compositional elements to uncover the
hidden form and beauty in clay. Although I may start with a basic idea
in mind, soon I find myself following where my material leads me. All
too often, my finished image astounds even me.
Believing that quality is overridingly important, I do not market
numbered editions of my work, but rather produce only seven bronze
artist’s proofs of each sculpture, six of which are available for sale.
This decision has afforded me more time and energy to remain creative. I
am always thinking of my next creation.
R. Jackson Ferch
ELEMENIUM Sculpture & Design Purchase a copy
online.
The
price is $35.00, plus shipping and handling, from
CCNow,
our online retailer. |
