Peter Wood is an old timer at ArtOMatic, and his story of that takes us back through even the early days, the shows many of us only know as lore!
“I attended the first ArtOMatic in 1999 and thought it was so cool. A lot of my artists friends participated in that event making it so much fund to hang out talking art. I jumped at the chance to be part of the 2000 ArtOMatic at the old Hechinger’s building. I selected a great spot on the roof/parking garage that was perfect for my large rustymetal sculptures. I also joined ArtOMatic in the old EPA building in the SW waterfront in 2002. That was a little more of a challenge to get some of the over six-foot sculkptures up to the upper floors. The following ArtOMatic loacations were even more difficult for me to get to since I moved out to Middleburg, Virginia in 2004. It seemed at the time that it wasn’t worth the time to travel all the way into DC. When ArtOMatic ventured into Virginia for the first time [first Crystal City show], I was ready to get back to the excitement of hanging with the artists. The Crystal City venue was fantastic and I loved painting my space a warm orange since it was the same color I had selected for my living room. I continued with the ArtOMatic overlooking the National’s ball park and also took part in ArtOMatic Takes Flight at National airport. So I am happy to return this year with a double space and even more friends joining me.
“One of several reasons I keep coming back to ArtOMatic is sales! They’re always nice! But I also get a lot of great feedback on my work and a chance to see what other artists are creating. It is not always easy to find venues to display large metal sculptures, so ArtOMatic gives me that chance to to display several of my creations at one time. AND, it’s just fun!
This year, Peter is showing severn sculptures. As mentioned above, he selected a double space (and worked extra volunteer shifts as required to cover that extra space) which had 8 windows. He had just completed a sculpture with designs cut into the metal to let light shine through it. All those windows inspired him to create more sculkptures that would benefit from streaming light. “I set off for my studio with the ambitious boal of making one sculpture to place in front of each window. While life does not always go as planned, two new scuklptures did evolve for ArtoMatic, In the Brew and The Artist. So I rounded out the exhibit with a few additional sculptures for visitors to see the range of my work.”
Peter is on the 10th floor this year, space 178, next to the dinosaur [which you can’t miss!] and furniture craftsman, Chris Mann. Next to Chris is Jason Alexander, a potter,
and next to Jason is Tim Tate’s new work. According to Peter “That makes one great can’t miss section of ArtOMatic!”
Why should a visitor make a special trip to visit your space?
Sculpture is a medium that is a little more difficult to find for viewing in the art world. I think anytime you have the opportunity to see sculpture, it is worth the effort. If a visitor has seen my work in the past, they need to come by and see the progress I have made. A few of my pieces this year are not rusty metal. The raw look of the steel adds another cool look to the work. If they have never seen my work, they might be surprised to see three sculptures that are over 6 feet tall on the 10th floor!
How long have you been making art?
Always! But I have only been creating metal sculptures for about 15 years. I love to garden and I wanted scultpure for one of my gardens. I thought about it and decided
that if I could weld, I could create my own sculptures. I took an art welding class from Brian Kirk at the Torpedo Factory and have been creating sculptures ever since.
Tell us a bit about your materials and techniques.
I use 1/8 inch steel and “found” objects; however, they aren’t really “found” since I have to go in search of them. I use a lot of old farm machinery parts or other cool gears, springs and the like. The steel I purchase new which comes in 4’x8′ sheets. I often have them cut into specified widths to make them a little easier to handle. When I buy the new steel it has a blue gray coloring to it. After I create my work, I will leave it in the woods to rust until I am happy with the patina.
To create a piece, I will bend the steel with just my own strength and body weight, sometimes using the vice to get a tighter bend. I use an oxygen/acetylene torch to cut designs and patterns in the steel and to weld the pieces together. Other times I will both the pieces together if I want them to be disassembled for the ease of moving the sculpture.
What is the role of the artist in society? [ed note: I love when my interviewees take this one on!]
That is a big question, so I will just paint with broad strokes. some artists’ role is to help us think. Many artists create work to make a point or to bring into focus a particular issue. Other artistrs create to beautify our surroundings or help us to relax. Sometimes the artwork helps us to realize the beauty that is already around us. And then there is some art just created for the sake of being able to create.
What is the place of your work in society? [ed note: this is another few seem willing to take on. Kudos, Peter!]
My hope is that my work brings great enjoyment to the viewer. sometimes that can be achieved just by enjoying the gentle movment my works have in a breeze or the fun people have discovering what the sculpture means to them.
Peter lists several favorite artists from whom he draws inspiration.
“Alexander Calder’s works are huge in scale and I love that sculpture can be big. Calder also created works with wire that the shadows were like pencil drawings. I love to see the shadows created by my work as it is suprisingly so different from the work itself.
“David Smith‘s early works were more like drawing with steel. I am not good at drawing, so I enjoy his work as a way of stretching.
“Anthony Caro‘s work was credited with getting sculkptures off of the pedestal and set right on the ground. I think sculptures belong on the ground to make it easy for the viewer to get close and interact with the work.”
While Peter hasn’t yet had a chance to spend a lot of time looking around ArtOMatic, he has seen some exhibits he thinks work seeking out: Keith Stanley, installation, 2nd floor; Frederick Nunley, prints of waterscolors, 2nd floor; and, Megan Gordon-Hall, fiber artist, as well as Chris Mann and Jason Alexander mentioned above.
Finally, Peter wanted to give a shout out to Molly Ruppert and her family. “They have been such great supporters of all the local arts scene and have done so much to provide space and events for artists to showcase their work. Molly was the first to show my work and encouraged me a great deal to continue to create. The Rupperts are wonderful, genuine and dynamic people and always have fun in the process. many thanks to Molly, Christina and Paul and the rest of the family!”
Peter also shows at LaLuna Gallery in Washington, DC, and Ice House Gallery in Berkeley Springs, WV.
For other shows and venues, check out his web presence at : http://www.rustymetal.com and http://www.middleburgarts.org .
To read more interviews and see more photographs from ArtOMatic 2012 and earlier ArtOMatics, go here.
