Highlights from the Go Figure exhibit

              "Following the North Star", bronze sculpture, by Pat Mack 

First Friday in March marked the opening of the Zionsville SullivanMunce Cultural Center’s Go Figure exhibit with a public reception from 5-8 pm. Drawing on paper, oil on canvas, and large cast metal sculpture and plaster relief were the focus of this figurative show.

The human form was depicted in many unique ways. Artists expressed static situations with the figure at rest, sitting, or posing. Other works showed more active and playful poses of form and motion. Faces and gestures were emotionally reflective, propelling, abstract and open to interpretation.

After the event, three of the nine artists from the show shared their personal, artistic visions.

Pat Mack

Often mistaken for a wire artist, Pat Mack brought to the exhibit several of his child-like metal rod sculptures portraying genre scenes of family life. Small, colorful, and transportable, these pieces from Mack’s former series could be contrasted with his newest bronze castings, near the center of the main gallery space.

Before the bronze series began, Mack had been asked to work with the metal but at the time he was not that interested. Eventually, he was gently pushed into that direction as the opportunity arose. While on a separate assignment of taking photos for a client, he brought along his own portfolio for exposure. That’s when the first commission for an eight-foot tall piece, became a reality. 

     "Sapphire", oil on canvas, by Vandra Pentecost. 

Mack took the time to learn his technique in foundries in Oklahoma and New York. Using a lost wax technique, Mack currently utilizes an Indianapolis foundry to help him produce his curvy, organic sculptures.

Mack’s change over to bronze and shaping it into textural, linear, flowing forms followed after the events of September 11, 2001. As an artist with a changed perception of life around him, he was moved to use his art to make a difference in the lives of others. That’s when he came up with the "Angel of Hope". The creation of an angel was his way of making peace with a situation he felt angry about and it was also a way to speak to world through different faiths.

From then on Mack desired using themes that connect to humanity in expressive ways. Some of the ideas behind his bronze sculptures are tied to historical events and others to personal experiences. He says, “It takes a long time to work with bronze so I have to be connected to it emotionally.”

Vandra Pentecost

Pentecost’s artwork "Sapphire" stood out in the exhibit with rich yellow-oranges and blue complementary colors. Drawing is the basis of most of Pentecost’s artwork but in this piece, the study of a live model at the Indianapolis Art Center went straight onto the canvas. She enjoyed capturing the mood of the model who seemed to have a “thoughtful and distant look in her eye.” The painting’s title was based on the deep blue dress added to the work.

Vandra Pentecost is a figure drawing teacher who works at the Zionsville Cultural Center and the Indianapolis Art Center. Through the art centers, she is able to offer open studio for those who enjoy sketching the human form.

                            
Model Theresa Fischer stands next to her portrait, "Antiquated Contemporary 4", by Austin Pittman

Austin Pittman

Austin Pittman’s large, up-close, and personal portrait work was inspired by models, three sisters to be exact, that he draws and paints. Pittman creatively makes his artwork appear torn, dirty, and antiquated through marks made on the canvas.

Instead of a pristine portrait, his choice in smudging and scraping is a reference to fuzzy and scratched Daguerreotypes. He became interested in these old-fashioned photos a long time ago.

Pittman thinks of the portraits as personal memories and family relationships. He says he feels safe in the past but is quick to call it “the good ‘ol days that never were”.

Two of the three sisters are shown in this exhibit, one artwork is painted in oil on canvas and the other is drawn with chalk pastel. The pastel piece, "Antiquated Contemporary #4", is the first work that started this series.

For now, Pittman plans on experimenting with photographic inconsistencies and producing effects while expanding the use of props with the models. He mentions a newer idea in the works that would involve the third sister wearing a shawl. The shawl would be an extension of these 2-D pieces which give a comfortable, cozy feeling while sending the work back into time and space.

Go Figure runs through April 25th.