A member of my email list recently asked:
In rereading The Fountainhead I was reminded of something I’ve long wondered about, in the story of Steven Mallory’s sculpture using Dominique as a model: why would an artist of Mallory’s stature need a model? If it isn’t a specific portrait, wouldn’t his ability and imagination be sufficient to invent (and retain in his mind) a figure projecting a more ideal image than any actual woman he’d be likely to find? … I’d love to hear a professional’s response to this.
I passed on the question to several sculptors I know, and heard this from Holly Crocker Garcia:
I do sculpt “specific portraits” of all my models – with all their endearing quirks and flaws – down to the last detail. Myself, Erin, Katie, Becca, Heaven, Paloma, Joy, Petra – they’ve all been “portrait” models for me. I would never idealize a person in my sculpture as I think all bodies are unique and beautiful in and of themselves without the need for idealization. I could never be a sculptor without my models – in the flesh and in person. To me this is what makes them real and vital and interesting as art works.
There’s a great series of posts on the creation of Swann Queen here.
More
- See more of Holly Crocker Garcia’s work on her website, or in person at the Quent Cordair Fine Art.
- The first two posts in this series were answers by Michael Wilkinson and Zenos Frudakis. I’m posting these in the order I received them. None of the artists had seen the others’ answers.
- To be notified of future posts in this series, join the DianneDuranteWriter/ForgottenDelights mailing list: email DuranteDianne@gmail.com.
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