* All images used with permission. Please do not distribute without first contacting the artist.
Ken Newman is a sculptor based in Cambridge, Idaho.
Ken explains his work by saying, “Although our journeys are not the same – there are common threads that connect us. I have chosen to share and express through sculpture a lived journey, a small window into a living history. As our world changes, a sense of loss emerges – a disconnect to our immediate past and a distancing from nature. The desire to share these observations has become the motivation in creating my art. As artists, we have a responsibility to capture or interpret current attitudes and their influences, to document and create dialog. Without artists, who visually captures the uniqueness of society? If we don’t interpret and capture it, time has proven it will be gone tomorrow. There are no political agendas, just a story of reflection on one’s influences and journeys, a show of respect for the simple and subtle rhythms and elements in life as they are in nature. Representational sculpture is not a choice but a natural extension of my vision. The forms, shapes and gestures of my sculptures are expressions of internal and external influences, not that of a model or photograph. Somewhat stylized to convey movement and emotion rather than anatomical accuracy. Details are meant as a distraction for the eye, a reaffirmation of the story and not meant to attain perfection. Expressing the impact of subtle elements and textures has opened the creative process to explore the use of different materials to better express these nuances that spark interpretation. Over the years I have enjoyed sculpting in public venues. It encourages an interesting dialog that can have a significant impact on one’s work and thought process. By engaging the viewer to share their influences and cultural insights into the creative process, it helps me understand my own journey. A natural extension of this is the motivation to place work in public venues allowing the dialog to continue.”
