RUSSELL WHITING


Artist Statement
Born in 1955, in Bastrop ,Texas, raised in Bastrop, Louisiana. I began working with steel in the early 80’s, in shipyards and oilfield environments. The realization that steel could be carved like wood, soon open up a whole new world of possibilities!
I started carving wood in my early 20’s ,self-taught and classically oriented in subject matter. Though, still strongly influenced by classical form, I have begun to recognize the validity of my own subconscious dialog, as a fertile source, for my work.
The creation of my images is influenced by many factors: religion, ancient culture, cinema, other artist, etc… The images are combined, mutated and reborn with no regard to logic or to their origination.
The figures flow from dream, fantasy and conscious manipulation. The work is not interpreted or analyzed during creation. I am often surprised by the interpretations of others and feel like I have a wonderful connection because of their ingenuity!

Techniques

Pioneering the arena of sculpting metal with torch (carving steel)
Experimenting with the figure
Specializing in small, medium and large scale figurative work
Casting in bronze, iron, and aluminum

Exhibitions

2007 Trinity Gallery, Atlanta, Ga

2004 Palates & Pate, Lafayette, La
2004 Dec. group show, Bistineau Gallery, Shreveport, La.
2004 Figures & landscapes, River Gallery, Chattanooga, Tn.
2004 Elements of Earth, group show, A Muse Gallery, Columbus, Ohio
2004 Group show, Marie-Terrel Fine Art, Asheville, N.C.
2004 June group show, Bistineau Gallery, Shreveport, La.
2004 Solo show, River Gallery Sculpture Garden, Chattanooga, Tn.
2003 Palates and Pate, Lafayette, La.
2003 The New Old Masters, Group Show, A Muse Gallery, Columbus, Oh
2003 Solo Exhibit, Trinity Gallery, Atlanta, Ga.
2002 Summer Salon Group Show, A Muse Gallery, Columbus, Ohio
2002 9th Annual Sculpture Exhibition, River Gallery, Chattanooga, Tn
2001 "Configurations", Guadalupe Fine Arts, Santa Fe, New Mexico
2001 Group Show, Carolyn Taylor’s Fine Art
1999-2001 Dry Creek Sculpture garden, Denver, Co.
2000 "Carved Steel" solo exhibit, Trinity Gallery, Atlanta
2001 Outdoor Sculpture Show, Hot Springs Convention Center,
Hot Springs, Arkansas
2000 Group Exhibit, Guadalupe Fine Arts, Santa Fe, New Mexico
1998-99 Group Exhibit, River Sculpture Garden, Chattanooga, Tennessee
1998 Two Person Show, River Gallery, Chattanooga, Tennessee
1998 Group Exhibit, Palm Avenue Gallery, Sarasota, Florida
1997-1998 Group Exhibit, Delgata Community College, New Orleans, La.
1997 Two Person Show, River Gallery, Chattanooga, Tennessee
1997-1998 Group Exhibit, River Sculpture Garden, Chattanooga, Tennessee
1997-1998 Group Exhibit, Chattanooga Community College
1997 "Sacred Ones" Three Person Show, Trinity Gallery, Atlanta, Georgia
1997 "Mysterious Images" group exhibit, Cain Gallery, Oak Park, Illinois
1997 "Vessels" group exhibit, Lennex Square, Atlanta, Georgia
1996 "Featured Artist" Vivant Gallery, Charlotte, North Carolina
1996-1997 Delgato Community College, New Orleans, La.
1996 Group Exhibit, River Sculpture Garden, Chattanooga, Tennessee
1996 Two Person Show, Salt Creek Gallery, St. Pete, Florida
1995 Two Person Show, Fovea Gallery, Blowing Rock, North Carolina
1995 "Art of the Figure" Trinity Gallery, Atlanta, Georgia
1995 "Vessels of Cameron" University of Southwestern Louisiana, Art

Museum

1995 " Modern Classicism" Human Arts, Atlanta, Georgia


Public Sculptures

"The Nest" Outdoor Sculpture Garden, Alexandria, La.
Arkitex II, Tampa, Florida
Gulf Coast Art Museum, St. Pete. , Florida
King Plow Art Center, Atlanta, Georgia
River Gallery, Chattanooga, Tennessee
Baylor School, Chattanooga, Tennessee