It is no secret that artists throughout history have experimented with numerous styles and mediums. Going all the way from pallet knife painting to numerous oil glaze layers. Experimentation is key in order to achieve excellence and uniqueness. In the case of Edgar Degas’ work, we can observe the exploration of photography, drawing, sculpture, and pastel, among many others. For Degas, sculpting held the same significance as drawing. They were all just “different ways of thinking, modeling one another.” Most of Degas’ sculptures never saw the light of day as he only had one public show for them during his career. These sculptures were meant to explore and discover new ways to interpret his preferred subject: Dancers. His life work and study of movement and dance hold a great degree of significance in art history and the development of the Impressionist movement on the 19th century.
“Dancer in Front of a Window”
“Dancer Moving Forward, Arms Raised “
Experimenting with other mediums is not just about finding one’s style or creating innovative art. It’s also about exploration of form and dimensions. Breaking out of the boundaries of a two-dimensional canvas into the space of a sculpture brings out new elements and challenges in a piece of art. Just as Degas said, sculpting is simply a different way of thinking, modeling drawing. This new perspective adds unique knowledge to an artist’s skillset, which they can later integrate into their two-dimensional work. For Degas and many others, studies, of shape and movement, regardless of the medium are essential to a developed and refined body of work.
Fast forward 200 years, artists are still delving into concepts in a three-dimensional space in order to explore and observe them from a different angle, literally. One of these artist being our own and beloved Tim Huhn, whose latest project is a bronze rendition of “The Unknown Worker” one of the most powerful pieces in his body of work. This piece is currently being developed in partnership with master sculptor Phil Houser, who’s widely recognized for his commercial work in the film and toy industry. His expertise paired with Huhn’s established and compelling style could only result in a truly remarkable and vigorous sculpture.
Integrity and work ethic are just a few values which stand at the forefront of this monumental piece. These motifs are seen all throughout Tim Huhn’s body of work. Just like his artwork represents progress and the advancement of society as a whole, the development of this bronze series is a rightful and fulfilling step in the evolution of Huhn’s vision. Furthermore, its physical and strong style perfectly lends itself to a bronze portrayal, which incorporates a uniquely tangible element.
