“2 Sculptor’s” Art Exhibit Reveals an Inspiration Behind Art

By: Devon Cormier
Posted In: Entertainment

Inspiration is a word with so much meaning behind it. It can stem from just about anything, and yet, it can be so hard to find. True inspiration, for those who have found it, can result in beautiful creations and works of art that can be talked about for years to come. For Bill Martin and Krisjohn Horvat, inspiration stemmed from illusion. Both are sculptors, and both are currently exhibiting their works at Salve Regina’s, “Dorrance H. Hamilton Gallery.” While their sculptures are truly amazing to look at, the inspiration behind them is just as awe-worthy.

Upon entering Salve’s Antone Academic Center Wednesday evening, one would have had to of pushed their way through the crowd if they wanted to see “2 Sculptors,” Martin and Horvat’s art exhibit. The works of these two sculptors caused quite an eclectic gathering on the opening night. Students, faculty and locals collected to see the creations of two of Rhode Island’s renowned artists. While a portion consisted of Salve’s first-year art students, much of it was made up of spectators with a general curiosity about art.

Along the gallery’s walls hung a total of six sculptures made from materials such as wood, steel and feathers to name a few. Slightly off center, stood Bill Martin’s floor piece, “Oftenbute.” At first glance the sculpture, consisting of steel, wood and ethelenglycol looked like something out of Mary Shelley’s, “Frankenstein,” however so much more went into the artist’s inspiration for the piece.

Martin said he drew his inspiration from old locomotives and nature. Although the two categories seem to be at opposite ends of the spectrum, after looking at the piece a second time, it all made sense. Martin pointed to the ends of the sculpture and explained that the cone-like structures were modeled after the flower, “Jack in the Pulpit.” He went on to talk about the aesthetic beauty behind both nature and machinery. It seemed that the true meaning behind his art stemmed from illusion and how things may not appear to be what they truly are.

Like Martin, Krisjohn Horvat drew meaning from illusion, as well. In his artist statement he wrote that his sculptures were “more about weight and mass defying gravity.” It all began many years ago when Horvat was studying art in Europe. While visiting France’s Charte cathedral, he had a revelation that ultimately caused him to choose sculpture over his previous love of painting. Horvat was awestruck by the architecture of the great cathedral. Taking in the scenery he said that he had thought to himself, “Why am I making the illusion of something when I can make the real thing?” Thus began inspiration, and his new love of sculpting.

Horvat’s most recent works draw from much more than architecture, however. Not so different from Martin, Horvat’s creations stem from machinery, in particular, jet airplanes, but of course there is a much deeper level to his work. Horvat explained that jet airplanes can be both lethal killing machines, and yet, at the same time there is something sensual about them. In many ways these machines and aircrafts are similar to people.

Overall, if anyone could learn anything from Martin and Horvat’s exhibit, it would be that art has many levels and complexities. While both artists drew inspiration from machine-like structures, their uses of illusion are very different and these uses add a much deeper meaning to their work. Seeing an artist’s creation is only seeing the tip of the iceberg. The true beauty of art lies in this deeper meaning of the work. Art would ultimately be nothing without its meaning.