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10 Country: Donald's Screen Wire Art
Posted: June 24, 2008 12:09 PM EDT
Updated: June 30, 2008 11:08 AM EDT
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Valdosta
- Many home garages start as a place to park
cars and trucks only to find the space has a
better use. Donald Kolberg found his garage,
with an American flag proudly displayed on one
end with a sunshade behind it, makes a great art
studio.
"It was six years ago and I got frustrated with
a painting when I noticed a piece of screen wire
on the ground. I had repaired a door and a piece
was left. I picked it up and started doodling
with it," says Donald.
Doodling became more doodling, bending it here
and there.
"I liked the way it started to move,' says
Donald. Not many people think of screen wire as
moving.
Soon he had three pieces of sculpture and a new
creative challenge.
"It was a surprise discovering screen," says
Donald about the artistic find literally at his
feet.
The screen's pliability allowed Donald artistic
license that no other medium provided.
"I'm taking a flat surface and I'm re-creating
shape using a flat surface," says Donald.
Sounds impossible.
"When you see it, you can see form, a solid
form, but you can also see the surface of it,"
says Donald.
The more Donald worked with screen wire, the
more the liked it.
"I work into the piece itself and become part of
the piece as I'm working with it," says Donald.
The more he worked with the screen wire the more
he realized that it seemed to have a life of its
own. It bent easily in some directions; refused
to bend in others.
"Every once in a while it changes directions on
me," says Donald as he points to a rough area on
a piece of course wire mesh often used in
building construction.
He works on several screen wire sculptures at a
time, picking up one and making adjustments and
then on to another. Occasionally he holds one up
to the bright sunlight to inspect the work and
look at its shadow on the ground. Then, he sees
adjustments needed in other works-in-progress
and makes them. Slowly and surely the
alterations bring the sculptures to life.
"You don't know when it's all going to come
together," says Donald, but it always comes.
Donald's interest quickly spread to other types
of screen wire. He experiments with a type used
to re-enforce concrete, plus other sizes and
weaves. Some have a close weave that he cuts
with scissors, while the more course weave
requires special heavy-duty shears.
"The hard part is cutting away all of this
(excess screen)," says Donald.
Heavy gloves protect his hands.
"I love doing this. It's so much fun," says
Donald.
He found exhibiting his work fun, and in
particular explaining each piece to anyone who
inquires. His happiness fills the gallery.
One creation looks like a human torso from a
distance, complete with a flesh color. Paint
emphasizes the form.
His favorite creation of the 32 exhibited
includes screen wire that he painted a pleasant
blue color.
"It's like the sky. There's wind and air in it.
The blue just seemed to come alive in it," says
Donald.
Each sculpture looks three-dimensional, and a
spotlighted adds another interesting aspect.
"The tension between light and dark; the push
and pull," says Donald.
The shadow does more. It completes the
sculpture and that's why he often puts a
creation in the sun to see its shadow as he
develops it.
"You can see some of the similarities, the
differences, the growth, the mistakes," says
Donald as he walks through his sculpture
exhibit, obviously proud of the new art medium
found at his feet six years ago.
Donald Kolberg's exhibit titled "Life Forms"
closes August 6 at the Annette Howell Turner
Center for the Arts, 527 North Patterson St in
Valdosta. Phone: 229-247-ARTS (2787).
His website:
www.donaldkolberg.com includes pictures of
many of his creations. |
