BY RUTH RICE
RRICE@TRIBDEM.COM
An area artist has sculpted an award-winning entry by combining his writing with his creativity.
“I’m a Tree Chopped Down Everyday,” a mixed-medium creation by Richard Bargdill of Ebensburg, captured first prize in the “Art of the State: Pennsylvania 2009” juried competition for state artists.
Bargdill is an associate professor of psychology at St. Francis University, Loretto.
The sculpture is a life-size mannequin with metal-like tree limbs growing from its shoulders and back.
“The sculpture combines a man and a tree to suggest that it is our nature to attempt to grow on a number of different dimensions at once,” Bargdill wrote in a press release. “A tree grows out, up and around while the human grows physically, mentally and spiritually.”
The mannequin is covered in writings from Bargdill’s 2006 book “An Artist’s Thought Book: Intriguing Thoughts about the Artistic Process,” except for a tattoo of a bull on its chest, similar to one in a prehistoric painting in the Caves of Lascaux in France.
“The writing emphasizes the importance of language for both our human and artistic development,” Bargdill wrote.
“This reminds us that in addition to language, symbols are often what the artist is trying to create because they are vital for finding significance in our lives.”
Bargdill added that the tree limbs imply that wisdom comes with experience, and many experiences have an acidic quality.
An ax embedded in the mannequin’s calves and small pieces of plastic that resemble wood chips from ax blows at the base of the sculpture symbolize the daily processes, such as employment and family life, that hinder or prevent artistic expression.
Bargdill’s entry was one of 157 works chosen from more than 2,179 entries in categories including painting, works on paper, photography, sculpture and crafts.
He has won several regional awards for his mixed-media sculptures and paintings.
Bargdill’s work has appeared in the biennial exhibit at Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Loretto for the past three shows.
Features
Best in state
Sculpture by Ebensburg artist garners top prize in contest
- Features
-
-
Events | Arts fitness
“Music and Art for Heart and Soul” will be held from 6 to 10 tonight at Art Works in Johnstown! 413 Third Ave. in the Cambria City section of Johnstown.
-
'New York City Subway Idol' | Soul, rhythm and blues singer in concert Feb. 18 at Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center
Alice Tan Ridley is just as popular above ground as below it. The singer, known as “The New York City Subway Idol,” will perform at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 18 at Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center on the Pitt-Johnstown campus in Richland Township.
-
All things afield at annual sportsmen's show
Folks who crave the great outdoors will have the chance to get a jump on their adventures by attending the 27th annual Allegheny Sport, Travel and Outdoor Show at the Monroeville Convention Center. The show, which runs from Feb. 15-19, is the only western Pennsylvania show dedicated to hunting, fishing and camping. It offers hundreds of exhibitors, dozens of live demonstrations and many seminars presented by experts in their fields of interest.
-
Venue of Merging Arts to host Slovak Mardi Gras
Slovak heritage will be the center of attention at an upcoming party. A Slovak Mardi Gras, or Fasiangy, will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Feb. 19 at Venue of Merging Arts, 305 Chestnut St. in the Cambria City section of Johnstown.
-
Go jump in a lake | Laurel Highlands Polar Plunge at Que to raise funds for Special Olympics
It takes a hearty soul to jump into a freezing Pennsylvania lake in February and pay money to do it. But that’s what organizers of the first official Laurel Highlands Polar Plunge are counting on. On Saturday, if people donate to Special Olympics of Pennsylvania, they can go jump in a lake.
- Area high schools have scheduled spring shows
- Tom Lavis | Coming unglued when trying to peel wallpaper
-
Westmont Hilltop High School has reached theatrical milestone
“The Pirates of Penzance” will mark Westmont Hilltop High School’s 50th year of presenting musical theater.
-
Curtains rising | Students acting out roles in spring productions
A variety of performances that promise to be entertaining are scheduled for area high school stages.
-
Tribute band to play best of Pink Floyd at War Memorial
This arena show will bring the lights and sounds of Pink Floyd. Brit Floyd, billed as the world’s greatest Pink Floyd show, will perform at 8 p.m. Feb. 25 at the Cambria County War Memorial Arena, 326 Napoleon St., Johnstown.
- More Features Headlines
-
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Expert: Removing LA School's Staff 'Appropriate'
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
