Artist Statement

In 1930, Edith Hamilton wrote this about Classical Greece: "For a brief period.....the rational that was to distinguish the West, and the deep spiritual inheritance of the East, were united. The full effect of this meeting, the immense stimulus to creative activity given when clarity of mind is added to spiritual power...." and "In the Italian Renaissance a great artistic development coincided with a great intellectual awakening and the art that resulted is in its essence more like that of Greece than any other..."

The human form fascinates me. It is holographic in that the smallest part contains the limitless beauty of the whole that, in turn, holds the wonder of the Universe. I see the emotional and physical energy within a person on the same spectrum of energy that keeps our planet circling the sun. In my work I represent this idea both classically, with fine attention to anatomy and detail, as well as abstracted, focusing often on the earth-sky relationship.

Human stories are equally compelling to me which is why most of my sculpture has a contemporary narrative with the stories ranging from personal to societal. With every sculpture I make, I'm trying to challenge viewers to feel and to think. I see sculpture not as decoration but as dialog that may be simple and direct or subtle, taking years to unfold. I carve marble and stone directly, in the same manner as Renaissance artists but with better tools. This allows me a physical, spiritual and intellectual connection to the material that is both obvious and numinous. In terms of real art, I believe there is no replacement for the human hand and in turn, the heart, mind and spirit that are connected to and pass through the artist's material.

Biography

For almost 40 years, as a Sculptor, Architect and Builder, I’ve been making three-dimensional art: both fine-art and buildings. My goal as an Architect has always been to design buildings as sculpture to live in. And I create sculpture in marble, stone and bronze, telling contemporary stories through classical technique. I strive to create sculpture that challenges a viewer's concept of reality, encouraging him/her to develop a conscious connection to life on this planet.

During my career, beginning in 1993, I gradually moved from practicing Architecture full-time to becoming a professional sculptor. My Art education derives from over 20 years of working and apprenticing with master carvers and other artists in the United States, Europe and Asia. I have been making sculpture full-time since 2001, teaching sculpture since 2007 and continue to practice Architecture in the United States, Europe and Turkey.

I find my source of energy and inspiration by designing buildings and  making sculpture that is site/person/story-specific.  In sculpture, realistic figurative work is my main interest although I also carve abstract and celestially based sculpture. My intention is to continuously learn and grow towards becoming an Artist at the level of Bernini, Rodin, Zuniga and Finotti. I have made a deep and on-going study of human anatomy and life-drawing which are the foundations for both my figurative and abstract work. It is deeply satisfying for me to think that I can study the human form and the built environment  for the rest of my life and always have more to learn.

I employ my professional experience as an Architect to large scale and public art. This has proven to be both unique and useful in working with clients as well as other professionals. I maintain the same high level of professional practice in my Sculpture that I do in Architecture. And as my experience and success in both disciplines show, I have a deep respect for collaboration and believe this is often how the strongest works are created.

Resume

EDWARD FLEMING
SCULPTOR <> ARCHITECT
 

CAREER:
2015 to present- partner, Thea Sculpture Studios
2014 to present- partner, Renaissance Stone Carving Studio
2001 to present- professional Sculptor
1993 to 2001- study stone sculpture
1994 to present - private Architectural practice
1985 to1994- partner, Architectnique
1983 to present- licensed Architect
1981 to2001 - Builder/Contractor
1977 to 1983- freelance design practice

SCULPTURE:

SHOWS                                                                                                                                                      2015 February Tucson Gem and Mineral Show, Tucson, AZ                                                         March Tucson Jewish Community Center Exhibition, Tucson, AZ                                             August Columbine Gallery, Loveland, CO                                                                                   October Galisteo Studio Tour, Galisteo, NM                                                                                       2014 January City of Denizli, Turkey
January Gallery Myro, Thessaloniki, Greece
October Tucson Jewish Community Center Exhibition, Tucson, AZ
October Galisteo Studio Tour, Galisteo, NM                                                                                        2013 June Heykel Kolonisi, Denizli, Turkey
August Columbine Gallery, Loveland, CO
September Greek Marble Initiative, Souroti, Greece
October Tucson Jewish Community Center Exhibition, Tucson, AZ
December Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
2012 June Heykel Kolonisi, Denizli, Turkey
July Portrait Show, Steven Boone Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
August Columbine Gallery, Loveland, CO
October Tucson Jewish Community Center Sculpture Exhibition, Tucson, AZ
November 2nd China (Tongling) International Sculpture Exhibition, Tongling City, China
2011 May Open Hands Auction, Zane Bennett Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
July Heykel Kolonisi, Denizli, Turkey
August Columbine Gallery, Loveland, CO
September Tucson Jewish Community Center Sculpture Garden, Tucson, AZ
October Galisteo Studio Tour, Galisteo, NM.
2010 April Sculptor's Dominion, San Antonio, TX
August National Sculpture Society awards exhibition, Brookgreen Gardens, SC
Columbine Gallery, Loveland, CO
September Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey
La Sala Gallery, Galisteo, NM
October Sculpture at the RiverMarket, Little Rock, AR
November Tucson Jewish Community Center Exhibition, Tucson, AZ
2009 May Carol Robinson Gallery, New Orleans, LA
June Evergreen Sculpture Walk, Evergreen, CO
October Sculpture at the Rivermarket, Little Rock, Arkansas
November Tucson Jewish Community Center Inaugural Sculpture Exhibition, Tucson, AZ
2008 March Adams State College Exhibition, Alamosa, CO
June Evergreen Sculpture Walk, Evergreen, CO
October Sculpture at the Rivermarket, Little Rock, Arkansas.
2007 January National Sculpture Society awards exhibition, Brookgreen Gardens, SC
June Evergreen Sculpture Walk, Evergreen, CO
June Hudson Valley Art Association Annual Exhibition, New York, NY
June New Mexico Sculptor's Guild Annual Exhibition, Santa Fe, NM
October Sculpture at the RiverMarket, Little Rock, Arkansas.
2006 September National Sculpture Society awards exhibition, Quick Center for the Arts,
Fairfield, CN
October Galisteo Studio Tour, Galisteo, NM.
2005 June Evergreen Sculpture Walk, Evergreen, CO
June Carol Robinson Gallery 25th anniversary exhibition, New Orleans, LA
September Viselaya National Sculpture Competition, Concord, MA
August Justin Roberts Galleries, Santa Fe, NM  (solo exhibition)                                               October Galisteo Studio Tour, Galisteo, NM
October Carol Robinson Gallery virtual show
November Justin Robert Galleries second anniversary exhibition, Santa Fe, NM
2004 April Sculptor's Dominion Invitational Show, San Antonio, TX
May Hammer, Chisel and Stone Gallery, Morro Bay, CA
August Sculpture in the Park, Loveland, CO
September National Sculpture Society awards exhibition, New York, NY
October Galisteo Studio Tour, Galisteo, NM
2003 August Sculpture in the Park, Loveland, CO
September Viselaya National Sculpture Competition, Concord, MA
September Hammer, Chisel and Stone Gallery, Morro Bay, CA
September Galisteo Fiesta Art Show
2002 May Wilds Gallery, Hikawagun Shimaneken, Japan
October Corrales Visual Arts Council 14th annual fine arts exhibition.
2000 August Gallery 944, Santa Fe, NM

AWARDS
2009 Sternberg Award of Excellence, Art for the Mountain Community, Evergreen, CO
2007 People's Choice Award and Brookgreen Medal, Brookgreen Gardens,
National Sculpture Society 73rd Annual Exhibition
2006 Bronze Medal and Pietro and Alfrieda Montana Memorial Prize,
National Sculpture Society 73rd Awards Exhibition.
2005 Prize for sensitivity of expression, Viselaya National Sculpture Competition
Prize for communication of important conceptual theme,
Viselaya National Sculpture Exhibition
2003 Best sculpture in show, Corrales Visual Arts Council
2002 Second in show, Corrales Visual Arts Council

SELECTED COMMISSIONS
Ramona Scholder, Galisteo, NM
Eldorado Animal Clinic, Santa Fe, NM
West Basin Preserve, Galisteo, NM
Ice Family, Monahans, TX
New Moon Overlook (four sculptures), Lamy, NM
Nancy Helle, Galisteo, NM
Southern Crescent (two sculptures), Lamy, NM
Roger and Joanne Lameroux Santa Fe, NM
Trenza at the Galisteo Basin Preserve (two sculptures), Lamy, NM
CT Whitehouse, Cedarburg, WI
Steven Grabiel, Cedar Grove, NM
Matthew Robertson, AIA, Denver, CO
Raindrop Turkish House, Albuquerque, NM

SYMPOSIA                                                                                                                                                2015 May 27-August 15 - Greek Marble Initiative, Souroti, Greece
2014 May 27-July 27 - Greek Marble Initiative, Souroti, Greece
2013 May 13- June 14- Heykel Kolonisi 3, Denizli, Turkey
August 26 - September 28- Greek Marble Initiative, Souroti, Greece
November 11- December 5- Ege University Sculpture Workshop Izmir, Turkey
December 6-15 - EgeArt Days, Izmir, Turkey
2012 May 1-31- Heykel Kolonisi 2, Denizli, Turkey
October 30-November 5 - 2nd China Sculpture Symposium, Tongling City, China
2011 June/July- Heykel Kolonisi 1, Denizli, Turkey
2010 June/July- Pamukkale University First Art Colony, Denizli, Turkey

TEACHING                                                                                                                                               2016 2Sculpt stone carving workshop, Lawrence, Kansas
7th annual Galisteo Stone Sculpture Workshop, Galisteo, NM
2015 2Sculpt stone carving workshop, Lawrence, Kansas
6th annual Galisteo Stone Sculpture Workshop, Galisteo, NM                                                        2014 2Sculpt stone carving workshop, Lawrence, Kansas
5th annual Galisteo Stone Sculpture Workshop, Galisteo,NM                                                    Individual student instruction, Greek Marble Initiative, Souroti, Greece                                      2013 Aegean Stone Sculpture Academy, Denizli, Turkey (2) Workshops                                         4th annual Galisteo Stone Sculpture Workshop, Galisteo, NM
2012 Aegean Stone Sculpture Academy, Denizli, Turkey, Marble Sculpture Workshop
Southwest Stone Carving Association workshop, Hobbs, NM
3rd annual Galisteo Stone Sculpture Workshop, Galisteo, NM
Organizer/Instructor Private instruction at Edward Fleming studio, Galisteo, NM
2011 2nd annual Galisteo Stone Sculpture Workshop, Galisteo, NM
Private instruction at Edward Fleming studio, Galisteo, NM
Poeh Arts Center, Pojoaque Pueblo, NM, Figurative carving workshop,
Southwest Stone Carving Association workshop, Hobbs, NM
2010 Galisteo Stone Sculpture Workshop: Organizer/Instructor
Private instruction at Edward Fleming studio, Galisteo, NM
2009 Portrait carving workshops, Instutute of American Indian Arts, Santa Fe, NM
Portrait carving workshops, Poeh Arts Center, Pojoaque Pueblo, NM(April and June)
2008 Mentoring student in stone carving Monte del sol Charter School, Santa Fe, NM
Mentoring student in stone carving,Poeh Arts Center, Pojoaque Pueblo, NM
Portrait carving workshop,Southwest Stone Carving Symposium, Jemez Springs, NM: Instructor
2007 Guest Artist Instructor, Southwest Stone Carving Symposium, Jemez Springs, NM

GALLERY REPRESENTATION:
Carol Robinson Gallery, New Orleans, LA
Columbine Gallery, Loveland, CO
Gallery Myro, Thessaloniki, Greece

EDUCATION
2010-2013 John Sloan Drawing Group, Santa Fe, NM: figure drawing
2009 Lucy Lyon Studio, Nambe, NM: figure modeling (clay)
2008 Roberta Remy Studio, Santa Fe,NM: figure drawing
2007-2008 Jo Basiste Studio, Santa Fe, NM: figure drawing
2003-2006 Elias Rivera Studio, Santa Fe, NM: figure drawing
2001-2002 Academy of Fine Art, Carrera, Italy: figure drawing
1998-2001 Pink Church drawing goup, Santa Fe, NM: figure drawing
1998 Geoffrey Lawrence/Santa Fe Art Institute: anatomy
1994-1995 Pietrasanta Marble Carving Studio, Pietrasanta, Italy: sculpture
1994 Doug Hyde studio, Santa Fe, NM: stone carving apprentice
1993-1994 Corcoran School of Art, Washington, DC: stone sculpture
1993 Pietrasanta Marble Carving Studio, Pietrasanta, Italy: sculpture
1976-1981 Tulane University, New Orleans, LA: Architecture degree
1974-1976 Occidental College, Los Angeles: sculpture, architecture history

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
National Sculpture Society: USA
National Sculptors' Guild: USA
New Mexico Sculptors' Guild: USA
Galisteo Art Association: USA
Southwest Stone Carving Association (Board Member): USA
Aegean Stone Sculpture Academy (Founding Member): Turkey                                       International Sculpture Symposium Alliance (ISSA; Founding Member): China                         Greek Marble Initiative, AssociateArtist: Greece                                                                            Rocky Mountain Design Collective, USA                                                                            

ARCHITECTURE:

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2001 to present- Architectural design service in Santa Fe, New Mexico and Boulder, Colorado. Work has included historic residential restoration, new residences, residential renovations and additions, site planning and green-cemetery planning, general contracting and hands-on construction.
1996 to 2001- Principal of Edward Fleming and Associates, Santa Fe, New Mexico. Work included large and small residential projects construction.
1995- Architectural consultation and hands-on construction and continued stone sculpture study in Pietrasanta, Italy.
1994 to 1995- Sabbatical. Studied stone carving/sculpture in New Mexico
1993 to 1994- Principal of Edward Fleming and Associates, Washington, DC. Work included large new residential, mercantile and institutional projects and research and design for affordable building systems in developing countries.
1985 to 1993- Partner/Principal of Architectnique, Washington, DC. Work included large new residential, religious, commercial, mercantile, museum/gallery and small residential projects, general contracting and hands-on construction.
1977 to 1983- Freelance architectural design (while in school and working for other firms) which included large and small residential, hotel and restaurant projects and hands-on construction.

PROJECTS
(project list available upon request: 1983 to present)

EDUCATION
1976 to 1981- Bachelor of Architecture, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA
1974 to 1976- Liberal Arts Education: major in English, minor in Architectural
History, Occidental College, Los Angeles, CA

APPRENTICESHIP
1981 to 1983- Bryant and Bryant, Washington, DC
1979 to 1981- Architects South, New Orleans, LA
1979- Folse-Henningson, Durham, Richardson, New Orleans, LA
1977 to 1979 Nolan, Holcomb, Apatini and Seghers, New Orleans, LA
1976- Robert Murphy, Washington, DC
Work experience with these firms spanned from drafting/drawing production to project-architect responsibilities and design for residential, commercial, mercantile, educational, correctional and industrial projects.

LICENSES
current: State of Louisiana; State of Virginia; State of Maryland; State of Colorado
previous: District of Columbia; State of New Mexico