Archer creates his figures by weaving together lightly hammered copper pipe and tubing or using lost-wax process for bronze castings or combining the techniques. His two-dimensional work reflects his ongoing interest in iconic imagery, and often suggest a narrative through a symbolic dialect.
ARTIST STATEMENT
I have always had an interest in figurative art, especially that within a mythological and or religious context. This began at an early age living two years in Rome, Italy, along with the exposure to my mother’s painting and sculpture practice. Combined with a life spent with a lot of time in the out of doors, in the garden, mountains and shore, the observations of the patterns and processes of the Natural World has led to the current style of my work.
A Saint From the South is a reference to Saint Sara, the patron saint of the Roma peoples, which I found out about in Saintes-Marie-de-la-Mer in the south of France. Although pine trees can symbolize many things, Venus of the Pines is the association of Venus with the scent of pine trees.
Chaos Theory relates to the human instinct to see figurative images within the processes of the Natural World.
ARTIST BIOGRAPHY
Tor Archer is a San Francisco-based American artist whose recent figurative sculpture has been the three-dimensional translation of the line quality of sketches from his notebooks where he records inspiration from nature’s patterns of intertwined twigs or sinuous vines. Archer creates his figures by weaving together lightly hammered copper pipe and tubing or using lost-wax process for bronze castings or combining the techniques. His two-dimensional work reflects his ongoing interest in iconic imagery, and often suggests a narrative through a symbolic dialect.
Archer was nominated for the acclaimed SECA (Society for the Encouragement of Contemporary Art) Award from the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art in 1999, as well as their INSITE Award for 2001 and 2003. In 2003 he was also awarded the Public Art Award from the City of Walnut Creek, CA. Archer earned the People’s Choice Award, “Old Stories, New Images” at the Contemporary Jewish Museum, San Francisco, CA in 2009. In 2016 he was named as the Artist in Residence at The Muong Cultural Museum, Hoa Binh, Hanoi and the Danang Sculpture Foundation in Danang, Vietnam.
Go Figure! is on view now through December 6 in the Nichols Gallery. This striking exhibition will expand your definition of figurative art.
We thank our sponsors- The Honeywell Charitable Fund, National Endowment for the Arts, Washington State Arts Commission, Town of Friday Harbor, San Juan Island Community Foundation, Anonymous, Orcas Island Community Foundation, Printonyx, Harbor Rental, Browne’s Home Center, Tucker House, Friday Harbor Grand, and Friday Harbor House.
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