Pick up your copy of luxe today. As of October 20th, it’s on newstands and the Texas issues will be available all over the state. I am featured in the “Style Makers” section of this coffee table magazine. Get your copy now!
I had only recently seen some flyers floating around about a new gallery space called Tractorbeam. After being invited to join a group line up and exhibit there, I did a bit of research and learned that this ‘gallery’ is actually a branding firm with an impressive reputation and line up of clients. Carved out of the center of Tractorbeam’s offices is what has become a new hot spot for pop-up exhibitions. I was excited to see what the fuss was all about. The show easily packed at least 200 enthusiastic art show goers into it’s tiny space, forcing the crowd to flood out onto the sidewalk and the lofted hallways upstairs. A full bar, live DJ, and a lot of great art. My sculpture showed well in this space with it’s white walls, exposed brick and modern, industrial feel.
Promotional Design by Audra Sewell-Noblique
Climate change has been warning us for quite some time now that our planet is suffering from our lifestyles and a dramatic change is needed. Sustainability has become an ever present part of our collective vocabulary. We are more aware than ever that the way we live has a cause and effect on the environment. I build large steel sculptures that often are placed in public settings and it begs the question, “How does my art effect the environment?”
Shopping for Sustainability at Pine Street Salvage
Every sculpture I create is made from 100% recycled steel. Chances are, that steel has been recycled more than once even prior to my salvaging it. Each year Americans recycle more steel than Plastic after all. When I look at the huge piles of steel at the salvage yard, I can’t imagine buying new steel to create with. It is far more satisfying to me to turn something discarded and mangled into a graceful and really beautiful sculpture, mare challenging and ultimately rewarding. It is quite powerful to me how the process goes and the end result is so connected to the earth, the way the sculpture interacts with the natural environment in such an organic way. I feel really good about this and I believe my sculptures possess more of a heart and soul because of it.
Some Facts About Steel Recycling:
My responsibility doesn’t stop with just recycling or salvaging steel to build my sculptures with. What about the painted finish? I use an industrial finish called Powdercoating. This has been around for a long time and is a popular choice for public art because of it’s durability and resilience to the elements. The fact is that it should be a popular choice because of how environmentally friendly it is. Powdercoating is a dry coating. Instead of being dissolved or suspended in a liquid medium, such as a solvent or water, powder is applied in a dry granular form. This material is a little finer than ground pepper but coarser than flour, and is applied directly to the sculpture to be coated. After the powder is applied to the sculpture, typically using an electrostatic spray process, the sculpture is placed in an oven where it cures, melting the powder into a smooth film on the surface of the sculpture. There are many benefits to using powdercoatings such as the variety of effects, colors, the fact that it actually adheres to steel with some flexion to help prevent cracking, it is resistant to rust, and won’t fade from sun damage for up to 20 years.
"Unity" by Nic Noblique by Commission for Trinity College in Hartford CT
One of best reasons for using powder over a liquid finish is that it’s environmentally friendly and virtually pollution free. There are no volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) or solvents to evaporate into the atmosphere. It doesn’t pose a health risk to technicians applying the finish. Powder is so environmentally friendly that all of the air born powder in the powdercoating booth goes through a filter system and clean air is then vented back into the work area. In fact, one of the major elements in expanding the market for powder coating has been the implementation over the past 30 years of stringent air pollution controls set by the U.S. environmental protection agency. Additionally, powder coating overspray can be recycled and thus it is possible to achieve nearly 100% use of the coating.
I love creating sculpture and I love the earth. Achieving new levels of sustainability in public art is my biggest concern. I hope that the world continues to collectively realize new ways they can impact the environment in a positive way. Everyone should ask themselves how they can make a change. Weather you are an artist, a teacher, a factory worker, a bus driver, an engineer, and so on, what can you do? And the next time you find yourself observing a public art piece, why not ask, “Does this art LOVE the Earth?”. I know mine does.
Current Exhibition:
THE CAMERON GALLERY
www.thecamerongallery.com
We know finding the best Design District exhibits to attend can be overwhelming, but trust us: artist Nic Noblique has a lot to offer, aside from an awesome name. Noblique deals largely in metal sculpture, pressing pieces of steel and creating works of art that are often based on the 3/5/8 theory, which says all things in nature can be broken down into those proportions. The Cameron Gallery showcases some of Noblique’s works for a month, starting with an opening reception in April where you can meet the artist and mingle with other art lovers. Did we mention wine and cheese? - D Magazine
On News Stands Now! Pick up a copy or dowload the PDF online now at www.artsandculturedfw.com, Page 13 Feature Article and Interview with Nic Noblique!
The Sculptors Dominion International (SDI) is a non-profit, charitable organization dedicated to furthering educational excellence in the traditions of large outdoor sculpture. In the 6 acre sculpture garden so far over 225 local, national and international sculptors have participated; over 700 outdoor sculptures have been exhibited; at least 9 countries and 12 states have participated; about 10,000 visitors have seen our presentation; over 5000 free school children tours have been enjoyed; and more than 50,000 have visited our online website. SDI is young, dynamic and unique as a ‘big sculpture only’ organization, ‘we… are sculptors’
Sculpture by Nic Noblique currently on exhibit at the Dominion:
Interested in more about The Sculptors’ Dominion International? www.sculptorsdominion.com
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