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| FRANK MORBILLO |
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| Frank's
earlier work with powerful geometric elements has evolved
into more fluid sculpture with curved, gestural forms and
a greater
sense of motion. The development of actively created cast bronze
elements has allowed Frank to emphasize in his sculpture
a much freer
sense of this dynamic motion, without losing the essential
natural,
organic quality of the work.
Frank begins his process by fabricating the main geometric
elements of a
sculpture out of flat metal sheet. He then lays those elements
out in a bed of
specially treated sand, like laying out puzzle pieces to see
how they'll fit.
To simulate the sense of organic forming, Frank pours molten
bronze into the
spaces between the fabricated metal elements to thicknesses
of 4" - 6".
Then, while the metal is still in its partially molten state
(at
temperatures of 1,900 F - 2,000 F), he manipulates it by
pulling and shifting the fabricated elements, to which the
cast
bronze has already begun to bond. -
The rapidly cooling bronze hardens, cracks and sinks in naturalistic
patterns filling the void left by the elements. Frank has shifted
in a simulation of the larger natural forces of erosion and
gravity. This organic forming captures the artist's desire
to portray in sculpture the forces at work in the natural environment.
In the fountain works, moving water replaces the cast bronze
as the apparent natural force
which manipulates and shapes the fabricated sculptural elements.
Whereas the bronze-and metal
sculptures represent a moment captured in time, with elements
frozen in the state of change, the fountain pieces seem to
be actively
shifting under the dynamic force of the flowing water. |
| GALLERIES |
- - Shidoni Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
- - Yates Gallery, Fountain Hills, AZ
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| SELECTED EXHIBITS: |
- - 2004 Manifesto, at The Sculpture
Ranch, Santa Fe NM
- - 2004 A New Leaf Gallery 'Water
Works 2004" Berkeley, CA
- - 2004 Lumina Gallery North, Taos,
New Mexico
- - 2003 Furniture Show, Shidoni
Arts Gallery, New Mexico
- - 2002 "Sculpture, NOW," inaugural
sculpture invitational, The Sculpture-Ranch, Santa Fe, New
Mexico
- - 2002 "In the Round: Sculpture
at the Roundhouse," Governor's Gallery, New Mexico State
Capitol. Santa Fe, NM
- - 2001 "30th Anniversary Outdoor
Sculpture Show," Shidoni Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
- - 2001 New Leaf Gallery, Ten Year
Anniversary Show, Berkeley, CA
- - 1999 Cheekwood Museum and Botanical
Gardens, Nashville, TN
- - 1999 Karen Newby Gallery, Tubac
AZ
- - 1999 Paseo Sculpture Show, Palm
Springs CA
- - 1998 "Bronze Age '98," New
Leaf Garden Gallery, Berkeley, CA
- - 1998 Ridhwan Sculpture Garden
in Taos, NM
- - 1998 "25th Anniversary Outdoor
Sculpture Show," Shidoni Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
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| PUBLIC & PRIVATE COMMISSIONS |
- - "Dance Partners
Fountain," Lumina
Gallery North, Taos, New Mexico.
- - "Healing Partners," New Mexico Cancer Center, Albuquerque,
New Mexico
- - "Dancing Curves," Appleton Public Library, Appleton,
Wisconsin
- - Northwestern Mutual Life, Dallas
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"Walking Wall "
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Bronze
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6"x48'x24'
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"Dance Partners "
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Stainless steel
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18'x6'x5'
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