THE FOUR SEASONS These Four Sculptures—Spring, Summer
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THE FOUR SEASONS Matthew Geddes—Dean, College of Performing and Visual Arts hese four sculptures—Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter—are Ta current expression of themes and forms I have been exploring for years. I have long been intrigued by the idea of a figure sculpted from a wheel-thrown cylinder of clay. One inspiration came from the classical Greek Caryatids, architectural columns that have become human figures. Spring, Summer, I began my studio art as a potter, throwing forms and vessels on the wheel. Autumn, and Winter. I find myself evolving into a sculptor interested primarily in the human figure, so it seems natural that as I develop my interest I would rely on Bronze sculptures by a variation of a method I know well. Matthew Geddes. Though I have made figures from thrown vessels before, The Four Seasons marks new territory for me in three ways: I am working in series; I am exploring the new medium of bronze, and I am playing with ideas of color. The virtue of series work is that the individual pieces are in dialogue with one another. They invite comparison. They comment on each other. For example, I have worked seasonal icons—flower, sun, leaf, snow—into the pieces. Also, the attitude of each seasonal figure is a variation of that of her sisters: summer looks up in a stance of joy whereas autumn looks back in a contemplative mood. These pieces may stand individually, but I intend them to be grouped into a whole. As I worked with the seasonal the power of art • 85 sisters, many ideas came to me, ideas I have explored in my sketchbook and which may in turn evolve into future sculptural projects: Continents (Europe, Asia, America, Africa) and Attributes (graces, virtues, vices). My earlier pieces were thrown clay that was then sculpted and fired. From the beginning of this project I have seen The Four Seasons moving through the clay stage to be cast in wax, then bronze, and finally having a patina applied to the cast metal. Each artistic medium has its own voice and feeling. There is to bronze a feeling of weight, permanence, commitment. Bronze tends to the monumental. Adding patina to the surface of the bronze, I was able to explore subtle variations of color. The chemical base of cobalt produces a cool blue that was appropriate for Winter. By contrast, iron and titanium gave Summer her warm subtle yellows. 86 • perspective Spring by Matthew Geddes 23 inch bronze with copper patina, 2003 86 • perspective Summer by Matthew Geddes 23 inch bronze with iron and titanium patina, 2003 Autumn by Matthew Geddes 23 inch bronze with iron and potash patina, 2003 Winter by Matthew Geddes 23 inch bronze with cobalt patina, 2003.