"My Life Inside Art"

Bob Spring sculpting, MAF 2008

Bob Spring has worked with artists and artisans in the casting of hundreds of sculptures for over fifty years. He has been influenced, and he has been inspired. We are excited to present this solo exhibition of sculptures and paintings including works in wood, glass, and bronze. In My Life Inside Art Bob establishes a number of themes and styles he has explored during his five plus decades serving artists.

September 10th - October 4th, 2008
Reception with the artist:
Thursday, September 18th
5 - 8 pm

Bob Spring

Sixty-seven years ago John Spring awakened his son Bob at the age of nine and took him to work at the foundry. The story from then to now can be shared a number of ways, and the latest chapter is Bob's first solo exhibition. To highlight his six decades in the art casting business Bob has chosen works that clearly establish the themes and styles that have influenced and inspired him.

In 1955, after serving four years in the United States Air Force during the Korean War, Bob began the daily routine and rituals of working at Modern Art Foundry. In his early years he met customers such as Archipenko and Lipchitz. These relationships grew and when Bob settled in as the patina specialist of the foundry a number of these close working relationships were firmly established. This would lead him to classes at the Art Student's League, workshops with sculptors Mary Hecht and Peter Agostini, and portrait sculpture with Bruce Hoheb. Frank Varga and Phil Ratner provided opportunities to learn the art of enlarging sculptures. Amar Sehgal and many others encouraged Bob to explore his own creative impulses. It is safe to suggest that with the number of artists bringing work to the foundry came a wide range of personalities, artistic styles, temperaments, fame and notoriety. Being on the inside and under these influences Bob responded by creating his own work.

In the early 1970's his customer contact increased as he began to manage all foundry operations as his father retired. Bob's dedication to the foundry is highlighted by his three grand painted portraits, on foam board, of a few foundry customers. His spirit and passion cannot be denied. These works engage us to discover both why one creates art and how to construct it. His bold, tangible yet elusive sculptures in wood, bronze, free blown glass, paint and found objects touch on themes such as evolution, immortality, spirituality, war, peace, relationships and community.

AES Gallery is proud to welcome Bob's debut solo exhibition to Long Island City, NY, his home town. The size and scope of this exhibition brings to mind New York City, its busy streets and enormous jagged skyline.

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