February
8th through March 8th, 2008
"They Are What They Are"
New Sculptural Works
by
Michael Brohman
Opening Reception: Friday February 8th,
6–9
pm
Ironton will be open for First Friday,
March 7th, from 6-9pm
During the summer of 2007, Michael was an artist is residence
at the Jentel Foundation, which is located on a working cattle
ranch in Banner, Wyoming. His focus during this time
was to utilize materials that are considered lowly or disgusting
and elevate them to a higher level of appreciation and understanding.
He worked with the materials gathered on the ranch--horse
and cow manure, bird’s nests and branches, as well
as dead animals from the country roads.
This experience has greatly influenced his current work
and is evident in the choices he has made. Many of the works
that were begun in Wyoming have been combined with previously
started but unfinished pieces. Manure, animal remains,
and taxidermy specimens are conjoined with the traditional
materials of bronze, iron and steel. The work is at once
beautiful and disturbing, as are the themes explored. The
scales of the individual pieces range from intimate to the
monumental.
The title of the show, “THEY ARE WHAT THEY
ARE,” references the fact that Michael
does not try to disguise the materials or the subject
matter. The physical evidence of the sculptors journey,
the mark and touch, is critical to the engagement with
the work. Michael seeks out the very essence of
things, while analyzing along the way, the manner in
which we perceive them.
Michael has taught sculpture at the University of Colorado
at Denver for the past twelve years. He was a 2003
recipient of an Artists Fellowship from the Colorado Council
on the Arts.
Ironton Studios is open Monday
through Friday from 10 to 4, and Saturdays from 12 to 4. |
