Ingersoll Art Review

The Moberg Gallery is on Ingersoll between 29th and 30th Streets. A
sculpture was placed outside the gallery recently, which fits in with the
streetscape idea for more public art. The current outdoor sculpture is
titled “Daredevil” and was created by Robert Craig. Craig is one of several
artists whose work is featured in the contemporary sculpture exhibit at the
gallery through August 18. I attended the artist reception for this show on
July 13.

(Click on photo to enlarge.)

“Daredevil” was inspired by handheld utensils, such as a putty knife and a
whistle, and has been described as having nautical and kettle themes. When I
first saw it, I thought of a duck. The title of the piece only serves to
reinforce my interpretation, especially when I think of Howard the Duck.

Tom Moberg’s landscapes sculpted with plaster can transport a viewer to
another land quite easily. T J Moberg’s “Crip Ambush” shows an ability to
create commentary using non-traditional art materials. Yet his warped and
broken ladder seems but an echo of the beauty and grace that nature creates
through entropy.

Tom Penny’s sculptures with wax, recycled fabric, and other materials appear
to be the work of an amateur when compared with the reality of images it
seeks to represent. Part of the problem comes from the impression of
ceramics sans the elegance that the finished pieces bring to mind. The
presentation of the sculptures on shelves that let roots hang below while
leaves stand above the symbolic ground is interesting. In addition, I found
his “Anemone” to be eye catching, partly because it did not seem quite so
rough as the land plants and probably partly because I am not so familiar
with anemones that the piece must compete with standards I have in my mind.

My interpretation of sculptures by John Phillip Davis’ also are different
than what the artist sees. For instance, Davis describes his “Compulsion for
a Perfect Movement” as “cooperation and strife. The competition in an age of
reason. Striving for perfection in heavy movements.” When I saw the piece, I
thought of Egypt, mummies, steamship travel, and Agatha Christie meeting
Cruella de Ville. Although, Christie’s mysteries were about the power of
reasoning and the character of de Ville was about perfection in fashion.
Maybe my reaction to the sculpture is not that different from what the
artist intended.

The single most intriguing piece on display was “Table Top” by Chris Vance.
The most interesting collection was by Frank Hansen. The fact that I am not
sure what these works say to me, while the balance of colors, shapes, and
textures lets my eyes decide where they want to go, and gives them something
new to see wherever they move, is why I find these items worthy of note.

Guest Author: M.R. Field is editor of Leading Voices: Iowa.