Today we’d like to introduce you to Jim West.
Jim, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
My teachers were always asking … Jimmy, Jimmy, are you listening?”
“I’m always listening….”
Always thinking…. Always questioning….
For me my art makes the connection for ALL levels for those viewing and in appreciation of art. A profound understanding of all things human, my art provides and holds space for the viewer to connect to what they already know. The depth of our respective journeys is paradoxical, unique while still a shared and common experience.
“Jimmy, Jimmy?” (my teachers in school)
The inability of others to perceive the inner workings of a young me during my earliest, most formative years, was a painful yet necessary piece of the puzzle. We are all in process. Every one of us feels to our core. All are being molded and uncovered by life and circumstance.
Depth, Contemplation, Interpretation.
“I’m always listening!”
A good teacher answers a question with a question, evoking a pause, sometimes a pivot. I attempt to hit this mark and go beyond, as did voices of our past. A Caravaggio or Picasso looked at the questions themselves differently thus finding new answers.
“Questioning the question?”
As I matured, I gained a better understanding of my own internal workings, and the unfolding of my relationship with the outside world, communing with and refining my own unique lens. My innate aptitude for seeing the unseen, then masterfully translating the essence of the sacred moment into creation is a special gifting that shines through.
“Always thinking.”
Bringing the paucity of a classical art education to his Art has shown to be an adept advantage. My reaches all because I am one of ‘us’. My sincere hope is on clear display through my advocacy for the Arts and for Art Education. My passion is to create Artistic vehicles to be seen and appreciated by the masses, allowing individuals to experience and be touched in new and different ways, on many levels, on all levels! I intentionally design my Art with many layers to be peeled away, questioned and interpreted, by today’s diverse audiences as well as by future dynamic generations.
“I’m always listening! Were ‘they’?”
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I feel it’s my duty to have the viewer look at the narrative, a critical part of all of my Sculptures, in an inquisitive way, a way they do not understand. I create Sculptures in a variety of medium. Bronze, Steel, Glass, Multi-media etc. A great teacher will show the student how to look at the subject matter in a different way, interpret in a different way. Interpreting in new ways and from a new, fresh perspective, I believe is the duty of any artist. Great artists have been doing this for centuries. Unique to me, … I would like my art to be viewed and read at MANY levels, not just for the highly art educated and connoisseurs of modern art. I am on the same page as Killer Mike, the High Museum’s Newest Board Member, and how he wants to make Art more accessible to the Working Class! A ‘second take’, my buzz words for what my art demands, allows the viewer to realize the many layers that are part of the fabric of my art. At some time, the WOW factor, that ‘second take’, has the viewer thinking about art later, the next day, or many days after.
What do you think it takes to be successful as an artist?
Oftentimes people’s goals are associated with making money or achieving a high level of status.
While there’s nothing wrong with wanting either, you can be led astray by chasing after them.
The secret to the success of ANY artist, in my opinion, is when they come to a conclusion that they really know nothing! There is so much to learn.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
• 2.C, Contemporary Sculpture – McIlroy Center for Science and Innovation, Science, Technology & Innovation Facility Gold LEED certified “green” building
- Split Infinity, Contemporary/Figurative Bronze – ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks
- Our Path, Contemporary Steel Sculpture
- Despair and Anger, Multi-Media, FL
- The Bond, Bronze Sculpture – Grand Masonic Museum of Philadelphia, PA
- The Edge – Sturgis Museum, SD
- In The East, Brother Ben Franklin, Bronze Sculpture – Grand Masonic Museum of Philadelphia, PA
- Of One, Bronze Sculpture
- The Walk, Figurative Sculpture
- Landscape Design/Build ~ Franklin Run/Myoma in PA – Commission in part to save Woodlands
- Point of View, Figurative Sculpture, Park, and Landscape Design
- Sorrow and Despair, Abstract Sculpture
- Commission ~ The One, Awarded at Bethesda Art Show
Private Collections in Italy and England as well as nationally throughout United States.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jimwestsculptor.com/
- Phone: 412.435.6025
- Email: jim@jimwestsculptor.com
- Instagram: jimwestsculptor
- Facebook: Jim West Sculptor
Image Credit:
(photos taken by staff photographers)
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