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SCULPTOR’S EYE |
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Photographs of marble and stone objects by stone sculptor Nick Santoro |
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"During a hot late summer day in September I was relaxing after a swim at the quarry in West Rutland, Vermont, warming myself on a huge marble block when I was lucky enough to have my camera with me to photograph the reflections of the water undulating off the quarry walls. Subsequently, I’ve been using my Pentax K-1000 to depict a sculptor’s view of the world." Nick Santoro is best known for 25 years of carving stone sculptures and teaching students how to use hand tools to shape marble and limestone. In this "Sculptor’s Eye" show he has turned to photography, using mostly stone for his subjects. |
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"I grew up in the 50’s and early 60’s in Brooklyn, New York," says Santoro, "where I’d use a pen knife to carve my initials into the hot summer asphalt streets. After my city upbringing I went out to the Midwest and earned a Literature degree from the University of Iowa. In the mid-70’s I started carving again, stone this time, at the Corcoran Art School in Washington, D.C., where I fell in love with shaping Indiana limestone using hammers and chisels and assorted files and rasps and sanding stones.
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I hope the elemental
beauty of stone and by extension some of the ineffable joy I’ve
experienced working it daily reaches out from these 2D images.
I’ve derived great satisfaction from looking at, touching, and
sculpting all kinds of natural, cut, and uniquely shaped stones.
This calling has been a direct, tactile, demanding, mysterious,
and noble pursuit."
 Old Quaried Stone photograph: Cibachrome print |
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In June 2003, Santoro participated in "The Divided World" exhibition at the York Square Gallery, showing "Bro: Elegy To The 2nd Amendment," a bullet-pocked head-stone and two sculptural wall assemblages made of assorted organic and man-made materials. In November 2003, he showed his stone sculptures, paintings and assemblages at Alexey von Schlippe Gallery at the UCONN, Avery Point campus where his sculptures can still be seen. |
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I would like to honor the memory of our dear friend JOHN PELVERT, who passed away Sunday evening, March 6. John’s intelligence, skill, and wit will be missed by the New Haven art community. John executed the digital print in the show, and his work is currently at Leaf Photography on Orange Street. Special thanks to Photoland Pro (203) 624-4441 and Joseph Cifferelli Studios (203) 624-1392. Additional framed & unframed prints are available. Contact curator (203) 387-4933. |
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Artist Reception: Sunday, MARCH 6, 4 to 6 PM |
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Exhibition: February 17 to March 22, 2005 |
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The York Square Cinema Gallery Gallery curator: Johnes Ruta (203) 387-4933
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