Artist Statement:
Set apart from the world we share, my sculptures are external places for internal living. The viewer is invited not only to look at the sculptures as objects, but also to project themselves into the landscapes I have created. These lands are vessels for thoughts and memories. I am researching the connection between self and place.

Tree, Wall, and Chair are each symbols of many things in many cultures. They are instantly recognizable, and understandable as objects. They are icons. In my work they represent only what the viewer brings to them. In this way connections are made between the viewer and the landscapes.

I intend to simplify the the objects to encourage personal investment of the viewer in the space. This is similar to the mechanism that is present with deities on a home altar or dolls in a children’s play-set. These sculptures are icons of sacred play.

The small scale of these familiar objects separates the landscapes from our shared existence. It creates a model of an empty place. Because of the small scale the viewer is drawn physically closer, and out of themselves.

These works separate themselves from our shared reality while connecting to our individual contexts. Physically we are separate yet we are connected by place. Tree, wall and chair in my sculptures are different yet physically connected by the stone they are on. There is no glue. There are no joints or seams.

I remove all the stone that is not the tree. There is no glue, there are no joints or seams. The chair and the rest of the stone are one. My chairs are meant to imply you, the viewer, however you are welcome to seat others as well.

 

Michael Davis Gutiérrez

1976 Born Conway, AR

Currently Resides in Fayetteville, AR

Education:

2002 University of Central Arkansas – Fine Art, BA; Conway, AR

Featured Exhibitions:

  • 2010 Signs and Signals ,Historic Arkansas Museum; Little Rock AR
  • 2010 Woollahra Small Sculpture Show ,Woollahra Municipal Council Building; Sydney, NSW Australia
  • 2010 Crafting Place ,sUgAR gallery; Bentonville, AR
  • 2008 In the Round, ddp gallery; Fayetteville, AR
  • 2004 Durham Arts Guild (3rd Place); Durham, NC
  • 2003 Contemporary Art Museum; Raleigh, NC
  • 2003 Rebus Works; Raleigh, NC

 

479 799 0547 michael@davisgutierrez.com

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