Richmond sculptor, Paul DiPasquale, to speak on public art & public spaces as gifts to community
Neptune maquette, 7' bronze, 2004. photo by Alexis Shockley
In part with After Rodin: The Contemporary Figure (Jan 14-Feb 27, 2016), a group exhibition of 12 local/regional artists, Gallery Flux will host participating sculptor, Paul DiPaquale, for an artist talk on the 21st of January. DiPasquale plans to speak on a number of topics sensitive to the planning and execution of public art, and its status as a gift to the community. These conversations highlight the influence of public space on individuals and communities; and the transformative capabilities of art within a community space. As a board member of the Richmond Public Arts Commission, DiPasquale also looks to discuss questions surrounding the installation of Toby Mendez's Maggie L. Walker monument at the intersection of Broad Street and Brook Road in Richmond's downtown arts & cultural district. These proceedings have been followed by RVANews, Style Weekly, the Richmond Times Dispatch, and NPR (links to related articles). Pictured above is a 7' maquette of DiPasquale's infamous 15' Neptune (2005), which is installed at the entrance of the Virginia Beach Boardwalk.
A variety of DiPasquale's projects are situated in this group show, including resin, plaster, and bronze castings, bas leather reliefs, brick and ceramic sculpture, as well as drawings. Running concurrently with the Virginia Museum of Fine Art's current exhibition, Rodin: Evolution of a Genius, Flux has curated a panel of artists who “have found inspiration in the beauty of [Rodin's] pieces, and the splendor of the human figure." Participating artists include Jocelyn Braxton Armstrong, Robert Bricker, Bob Clyatt, Frederic A. Crist, Raymond Kaskey, Nol Putnam, Helene Roberts, Maggie Siner, Charles Sthreshley, Morgan Yacoe, and Richard Weaver.
This event will take place from 5:30-7pm in Flux’s main gallery, at 307B England Street in Ashland, Virginia.