Erik Durant, NSS
Erik Durant is a figurative sculptor based in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Born in New Haven, Connecticut, he studied History and Sculpture at Southern Connecticut State University. In 2001 he moved to New Bedford to attend the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, receiving an MFA in Sculpture in 2004.
Durant’s personal work is a quest to understand the human condition. As a sculptor his main interests lie in gesture, movement, and pose. His works are at times Illustrative, but always realist, exploring historical, and contemporary narratives—both known, and unknown. While many of the characters that he chooses to sculpt seem to be rooted in the past, they are his own imaginings of things not fully understood. Issues surrounding beauty, the body, and identity, give rise to a version of contemporary mythology that is new, yet seemingly familiar.
An Elected Member of the National Sculptors Society, Durant exhibits his work nationally, recently showing in New York City, South Carolina, Wisconsin, and Georgia. He has also shown work in upstate New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky, Oregon, Iowa, Texas, and throughout southern New England.
In addition to Durant’s personal work, he creates custom sculptures for municipalities, private groups, and individuals. His public commissions include the New Bedford Fisherman’s Tribute Monument and the memorial statues of former Massachusetts State Representative Tom Lopes in New Bedford, MA, and Elizabeth Taber in Marion, MA. Among his recent works are a number of private commissions.
The images on this site represent a legacy of hard work and dedication to the practice of sculpting and observing the human figure.
Upcoming and Recent Shows
Sea Monsters: Real and Imagined
New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center
July 2023 through March 2024
fishingheritagecenter.org
71st Annual Exhibition of Traditional Realism
Academic Artists Association
Academic Artists Merit Award (Sculpture), Prometheus
Moved to virtual show online due to COVID-19
academicartistsassociation.org
107th Annual Exhibition
Allied Artists of America
Moved to virtual show online due to COVID-19
alliedartistofamerica.org
Heaven and Hell
J + K Isacson Arts at The Old Court House Arts Center, Woodstock, IL
Best in Show, Prometheus
Show runs August 6 through August 29
Opening reception August 8
oldcourthouseartscenter.org
For an expanded list of shows and commissions, click here to download resume.