Prometheus, Bronze, 2018

The upcoming winter FRESH! group show with have the theme "Naked! What’s nu(de) in contemporary art" with guest artists who will explore the concept of the nude in contemporary art. Artists selected are Michele Voigt, Erik Durant, Maggie Parvaneh, Joseph O'Neill, Fransisco Palomares, Bruno Perillo, Blaire Cahill, Michel Leroy, Ajuan Song, HakChul Kim, Christopher Parrott. The figure, specifically the nude, is arguably the most widely used subject matter in the history of art. From the Venus of Willendorf and Ancient Greece to Picasso and Giacometti, the nude figure has been used formally and conceptually to represent not only the model, but the emotions and ideals of their times and places. In this global world, what does it mean to use the nude in our modern age, particularly with the advent of new materials and technologies, both in the creation and spread of the artwork. How has the tradition carried over, and how has it changed to reflect our society? Historically the nude was viewed in a more “heroic” fashion; from Antiquity to the Renaissance, while there were female nudes, the male nude dominated. There begins a shift in the 1600s and by the turn of the 19th century the landscape of nudes are almost entirely women, a lineage that we are still following today. What is it about the shift in modernity that has shifted the idea of the nude from “heroism” to “vulnerability” or simply more blatant “objectification”. Viewing these artworks allows us a lens with which to see how each culture interprets beauty differently. From the Reubeneque figures to the airbrushed and photoshopped images we see today, how can the way we deal with the figure show us what our modern conceptions of beauty tell us about ourselves? How do the physical characteristics of the human body define a societies’ values? What are the values that society deems important enough to put into art?

The exhibition opens January 17, 2019 and runs through February 8, 2019. Gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10:30 AM to 6 PM, closed Sunday, and by appointment Monday.

As a member of the greater New Bedford, MA artist community, my studio is located at Hatch Street Studios. The studios are housed in the historic Hatch Street Mill building in the North end of town. 2nd Saturdays is an opportunity to share with the public my studio practice, demonstrate my techniques, and hold events each month. 

In conjunction with this month's 2nd Saturday event, I'll be giving a 10-minute artist talk about one of my sculptures on the hour. These talks will also be broadcast on Instagram Live.

12:00 pm — Shy Bending Back
1:00 pm — Andromeda I
2:00 pm — Rise Up
3:00 pm — Pandora
4:00 pm — Daedalus
5:00 pm — Andromeda II

Pandora, Bronze, 2017

A Generous Kingdom III features art that explores symbolism, story, and beyond. All mediums and modes of expression are embraced from low brow, pop surrealism, abstraction, and more. This show emphasizes the idea of revealing and/or honoring a narrative or legacy. The term Kingdom may be interpreted in many ways, not necessarily meant to be a literal elucidation. Does the work seem to create a realm or a remembrance or representation of the idea of home or place? Does the process tell the story? Is a legacy or mythos revealed?

The show opens December 1, 2018 and runs through mid-January 2019. Gallery is open Tuesday through Thursday and Saturday, 11 AM to 4 PM or by appointment. Call, text, or email Jennifer to schedule an appointment: fineartvu@gmail.com or 347-752-8915.

Prometheus, Bronze, 2018

A juried exhibition of the American Artists Professional League (AAPL) at the Salamagundi Club. In its ongoing effort to promote and encourage artists specializing in realistic art forms, the AAPL has staged a Grand National Exhibition for 90 years. Each year, hundreds of applicants from all 50 states in all media submit their work for review by a selection committee consisting of professional artists in the fields of oil, watermedia, pastel and graphics and sculpture. This year’s Juror of Awards is Stephanie L. Herdrich, Ph.D. Assistant Curator of American Painting and Sculpture, The American Wing, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY.

The exhibition opens November 11, 2018 and runs through November 18, 2018. Gallery is open Monday through Friday, 1 PM to 6 PM, and Saturday and Sunday 1 PM to 5PM.

Come visit the studio to see works in progress and new bronze sculptures.

Open and free to the public. Refreshments will be served.

Faces Tell Stories is an annual portrait project focusing on the faces of those who have served. It is an opportunity to look deep into the eyes of an individual and see the story that is there. From nominations, a single veteran is selected every January to sit for a life-size portrait bust. My goal is to build a collection of faces and stories honoring the diversity and experiences of the veterans of today. 

2018 Nominee Staff Sgt. Ronald Harrison Le'ger
Nominated by Rylan Brenner—a former colleague of mine from BCC, Ronnie has the kind of face that grabs your attention. He's both an artist and a musician, who served over 24 years in the army with multiple deployments. He's a man of many stories and a diversity of experience. My first conversation with him was an interesting mix of art, Led Zeppelin, and explosions. A copy of this bust will be presented to Ronnie at this event. 

2019 Nominations are Now Open
Nominations will be accepted through December 31. For a veteran to be eligible, he or she must be able to sit with me for a minimum of three separate, 3 hour sessions at Studio 303 at Hatch Street Studios in New Bedford, MA. These sessions will be arranged to be convenient for the veteran. 

Submissions must include:
• 1 picture from when he/she served
• 1 picture of him/her as the veteran looks today 
• Nominated veteran’s name, rank and short description of service (1-2 sentences)
• Contact information of both the veteran nominated and nominating individual (phone and email)

Email nominations to erik@erikdurant.com by 12 midnight December 31, with the subject line “Veterans Project Nomination.”

The selected veteran will be announced on January 15.

Ariadne, Bronze, 2017

The Museum of Contemporary Art is a place where people from Northern Wisconsin can experience the work and ideas of artists – both living and deceased – to understand the historical, social and cultural context of the art of our time. MOCA integrates exhibitions, performances, collections, and educational programs to excite, challenge, and enlighten our visitors.

This is an open-theme exhibit and an annual event. This year’s juror, Frank Bernarducci, a longtime 57th street art dealer and champion of realist painters, recently opened a 4,000 square foot ground floor space in Chelsea. Bernarducci Gallery exhibits contemporary realist painting, specializing in New Precisionism.

The exhibition opens October 2, 2018 and runs through December 29, 2018.

Visit wmoca.org for more informations on hours and admission.

As a member of the greater New Bedford, MA artist community, my studio is located at Hatch Street Studios. The studios are housed in the historic Hatch Street Mill building in the North end of town. 2nd Saturdays is an opportunity to share with the public my studio practice, demonstrate my techniques, and hold events each month. 

As a member of the greater New Bedford, MA artist community, my studio is located at Hatch Street Studios. The studios are housed in the historic Hatch Street Mill building in the North end of town. 2nd Saturdays is an opportunity to share with the public my studio practice, demonstrate my techniques, and hold events each month. 

This two day workshop takes place Saturday, July 28th, 9:00am - 5:00pm and Sunday, July 29th, 9:00am - 4:00pm and is being held at North River Arts Society in Marshfield Hills, MA.

Perfect for painters, illustrators, sculptors or anyone interested in furthering his or her own artistic understanding of the figure. Receive an intro. to the specific techniques that I used to hone my understanding of the figure. No previous sculpture experience required. We will cover armiture construction for small figures, clay modeling, basic proportions, as well as concepts related to gesture sketching, such as movement and balance.

For more information or to sign up click here

This two day workshop takes place Saturday, July 28th, 9:00am - 5:00pm and Sunday, July 29th, 9:00am - 4:00pm and is being held at North River Arts Society in Marshfield Hills, MA.

Perfect for painters, illustrators, sculptors or anyone interested in furthering his or her own artistic understanding of the figure. Receive an intro. to the specific techniques that I used to hone my understanding of the figure. No previous sculpture experience required. We will cover armiture construction for small figures, clay modeling, basic proportions, as well as concepts related to gesture sketching, such as movement and balance.

For more information or to sign up click here

Ariadne, Bronze, 2017

In its 18th year, Metro Montage is the Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art's annual juried exhibition featuring all types of genre, medium, style, subject matter, concept, and technique. Metro Montage features works of fine art by contemporary artists that showcase the diversity within our nation's culture. Juror Madeline Beck.

The exhibition opens July 7, 2018 and runs through September 9, 2018.

Visit mariettacobbartmuseum.org for more informations on hours and admission.

Prometheus, Bronze, 2018

A juried exhibition of the Hudson Valley Art Association, hosted at the Lyme Art Association. In the spirit of the Hudson River School of art tradition, the HVAA Annual Exhibition jurors are looking for submissions which are original representational images that display aesthetic appeal and technical skill. Jurors include: Bruno Lucchesi (sculpture), Don Demers (Oil), Tim Saternow (Watercolor), Edgar Jerins (Drawing/Graphics/Pastel).

The exhibition opens June 15, 2018 and runs through August 3, 2018. Gallery is open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 AM to 5 PM.

As a member of the greater New Bedford, MA artist community, my studio is located at Hatch Street Studios. The studios are housed in the historic Hatch Street Mill building in the North end of town. 2nd Saturdays is an opportunity to share with the public my studio practice, demonstrate my techniques, and hold events each month. 

No nudity here—but what’s the difference between nude and naked? Have you ever wondered how a figure model gets into modeling? Or what is it like to model for a sculptor? Do they only model, or do they have another job?

Join us for a live AMA (Ask Me Anything) session in Studio 303 with Erik and a few of the models that pose for him. Part of this event will also be broadcast via Instagram Live.

Refreshments will be served.

Two Skulls, Bronze, 2018

Jurors: Courtney Harris & Julia Welch Curatorial Research Fellows, Art of Europe Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

Show runs from May 4th through Jun 2nd
Tuesday – Saturday: 11 am – 5 pm
Sunday: 1 – 5 pm

Two Skulls, Bronze, 2018
Daedalus, Bronze, 2018

A juried figure exhibition at North River Arts Society. Juror Robert Liberace.

Free Opening Reception Saturday, April 14th, 2018 7pm - 10 pm
Complimentary hors d’oeuvres and cash bar.

Show runs April 15th – April 22nd
Monday – Friday: 9:30 – noon
Sat & Sun: 1 – 3 pm

This two day workshop takes place Saturday, April 7th, 8:30am - 5:00pm and Sunday, April 8th, 9:30am - 5:00pm. 

The workshop fee of $275 includes 13 hours of instruction, all materials for bases, armatures, three 2 lb bricks of clay, and model fees. Participants can either bring their own clay modeling tools, or purchase a tool kit of Erik Durant’s clay sculpting tools and calipers for an additional fee of $50. This kit will be available at the workshop.

For more information or to sign up click here

This two day workshop takes place Saturday, April 7th, 8:30am - 5:00pm and Sunday, April 8th, 9:30am - 5:00pm. 

The workshop fee of $275 includes 13 hours of instruction, all materials for bases, armatures, three 2 lb bricks of clay, and model fees. Participants can either bring their own clay modeling tools, or purchase a tool kit of Erik Durant’s clay sculpting tools and calipers for an additional fee of $50. This kit will be available at the workshop.

For more information or to sign up click here

Ariadne, Bronze, 2017
Best in Show