Jack HolmeI have been artistic and creative as far back as I can remember, receiving my first public recognition for creativity in Vancouver, British Columbia, my birthplace, in 1950: a Canadian Government National Industrial Design scholarship. While trained as an engineer, the seeds for sculpture were planted in Chicago where I graduated from the Illinois Institute of Technology's, Institute of Design. After graduating, photography and jewelry making were my hobbies, while I earned a living in the business world as an industrial engineer, product developer, and marketer.
In 1967 I discovered Henry Moore's sculpture: it was then that I was inspired to create my own work. I was intrigued by the size, shape and texture of Moore's pieces. I began sculpting small abstract bronze pieces and then experimented with larger fiberglass reinforced plastic work. From there I created figurative bronze sculpture with a particular interest in dancers, fascinated with capturing a sense of motion and rhythm in both my abstract and figurative work. Next, I moved on to combine separate elements or pieces into one sculpture creating an interlocking and unified whole.
Over the years I have added new mediums, including wood, found objects, and various metals to my repertoire, transforming flat surfaces into three dimensional forms while still capturing fluidity and movement. Sometimes shapes are highlighted y the addition of color. My creation of sculpture is an evolving process of mastery; each piece is designed to stimulate impressions and emotions for the viewer while at the same time creating new and different challenges for me. Meeting my own visual and conceptual expectations is critical.
In 1983, having been awarded my first large scale sculpture commission, I took an early retirement from my 31 year business career to devote myself to sculpting full time. While slowed down by the progression of Parkinson Disease since the early 1990's I feel free and uninhibited when sculpting. In fact, the creative side of my brain seems to be thriving and my source of ideas seems unlimited. A great deal of energy and thought goes into the developmental process of each new piece. Ideas germinate from many sources, dream like states just before falling asleep or upon just awakening, critiques, inquiry and inquisitiveness when working with materials. As I work the sculpture there are surprises, it tells me ³something is needed here² or "too much mass over there." I just need to be attentive to my own intuitive instincts and trust them.
Large scale outdoor public sculpture has consumed my energy over the past five years. During the construction of these pieces I often become aware of opportunities and ideas worthy of future investigation and thus a new sculpture is born, with its new set of challenges, new ideas to explore, and new satisfactions. |
