Cal U to present sculpture exhibit
CALIFORNIA – Pittsburgh sculptor Richard Claraval will present a solo exhibition of “Large Palpable Sculptures” at California University’s Manderino Fine Art Gallery through Tuesday, March 25. The California University of Pennsylvania Student Association Inc. and the university’s Department of Art and Design sponsor this exhibition. Part of this exhibition is devoted to examples from Claraval’s new series of sculptures that fuse the human figure with abstract forms in two and three dimensions.
Also being shown are 9-foot tall sculptures that “float” in space on almost-invisible lines.
These seemingly improbable works become believable when aware of Claraval’s sculptural medium of choice for the past several years – polystyrene (Styrofoam).
The variety of dynamic new ways of filling three-dimensional space presented by polystyrene coupled with a fascination for synthesis, are some of the main driving forces behind Claraval’s work at this time.
Within this area of exploration is a major series of works from a group he entitles “Anti-Caryatids.” These works involve abstractions that fuse both human and column-like forms.
The works form the “Anti Caryatids” group avoid the traditiona1 base-type mode of sculptural display. These sculptures occupy a greater freedom of space by appearing in mid-air. They are supported from the ceiling by thin lines. The lightness of display contrasts sharply with the massive size of these sculptures.
Claraval’s work has been exhibited in numerous group and solo shows in the Pittsburgh area, including the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, the Mendelson Gallery Garfield Artworks and Gallery Chiz. A solo installation is scheduled for the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts in February and March of 2004.