Historic Icons (Created 2008 -2010)
Nicholas A Price © 2008-2010 All rights reserved
About The Collection: Original Introduction by Nicholas A. Price
With fertile origins in voluptuous, or possibly by modern day comparisons obese female mother forms through to the toned and athletic males of the Greek and Roman period, on which we appear to base our modern-day body shape ideals and yet rarely achieve them, whilst this parity of weight and well-being are issues that go hand in hand. Delving into religious periods of almost impossible storybook scenes and then on to the freedom of expression in abstract and kinetic form it appears the need to explore our existence in both fact and fiction has continued even though the mediums have changed.
Although this appears to be a somewhat bizarre manner in which to observe the importance of sculpture in our lives, a visual legacy bridging both generation and millennia is there providing an intrinsic link to the past and optimistically our future. I wanted to address specifically the topical nature of sculpture and art, it is often the only visible link to a specific time in history, here I have attempted to address two major issues of our age, first the changing role of women in society and second our belated preoccupation with the environment.
As both photographer and sculptor the need to visit sculpture through the ages was overwhelming, a call to view these today and with a modern interpretation. Not merely in terms of our obsession with the human body but with the hope of providing a sculpture of today, a connection to the past, a narrative of the here and now with a hope as we move forward.
One of the most significant things that these sculptures convey to us, other than permit us to witness a dedication to artistry and skill rarely seen today is a unique view. One for which we should be indebted, these artisans created the works with, an at the time unbeknown durability, these sculptures endow us with the equivalent of a time capsule. We have a unique insight into an era we would have by no means seen purely by way of archeology or other means, a time without photography, computers or other data storage devices. Perhaps our need to continue to create in traditional mediums is more important than we like to think, as it is probable that they will outlive both our modern devices, fads and of course us. Considering the often thousands of years of war, climate issues and neglect and then looking at the wonderful simplicity of the 21000 BC Venus of Willendorf alone, we see into another time. Little else created by humans’ remains from such a time and yet today we consider something of archival quality at 100 years. This is an important consideration as there is a good possibility that much will be forgotten just as innumerable civilizations before us. Will we be without a positive legacy, leaving our planet in disarray for future generations? Art appears to have always mirrored our conflicts, hopes and anxieties as human beings.
I am so appreciative of the efforts of those that have through time, put such importance on the need to create, preserve and educate, having left a priceless legacy. There remains on ongoing battle to ensure that these efforts persist into the future not only in private collections but also significantly in the public domain. I trust my efforts will engage an existing audience and introduce a new interest in sculpture.
