Artists

As a sculptor investigating the themes of continuity, change and renewal within the genre of nature-based art, the South Carolina Botanical Garden continues to be such a valuable resource for such exploration. It is a truly a place for inspiration and reflection. (Rust, 1996)

When human beings interface with the sacred, when human beings have those moments of epiphany, that is when more is being unsaid than said.  Whenever you are taken out of your normal frame of reference you have an opportunity for that which we refer to as the sacred to speak. Industrial cultures do not have mystics; they have artists. Indigenous cultures and all land-rooted people have a mystical culture. They have a mystical aspect to their culture where you, the people, are ceremoniously, ritualistically taking into account the unsaid. We don’t. This artwork is intended to call attention to the unsaid. (Denny, 2008)

The NBSP selects artists through recommendation and invitation. Artists who participate in the sculpture program are first asked to offer their suggestions for other artists they believe would fit well with the program. The NBSP contacts these recommended artists and requests they submit their portfolio materials for consideration. Portfolios are reviewed and discussed with an informal advisory board comprised of SCBG staff, Clemson University faculty, and the sculpture programs four originating artists: Parker, Dougherty, Rust, and Bonnano. Once a selection has been made, the artist is then invited to create a commissioned work at the SCBG. The artists are paid a commission, provided with a project budget, and given full accommodations for their February stay. In addition to the design and construction of a site-specific, nature-based sculpture, the artists are also required to give one or more public presentations and to work with students enrolled in one or more courses affiliated with the project. Officially, the sculpture is produced as a work made for hire, therefore the property and responsibility of the SCBG. However, the garden agrees to maintain the sculpture and consult with the artists on future issues of maintenance or removal.

The NBSP has strived for balance in selection of the participating artists. Of the 16 artists selected so far, seven are female and eight come from outside the United States. In addition, while the garden brought in a number of very well known artists, it also selected several who were in earlier stages of their careers.

Click the links below to learn more about each artist.

Marc Bararit & Gilles Bruni (Stream Path, 1998)

Alfio Bonanno (Natural Dialogue, 1997)

Yvette Dede & Hiroko Inoue (A Chameleon Meadow-In Praise of Shadows, 2007)

Patrick Dougherty (Sittin’ Pretty, 1996 and Spittin’ Image, 2001)

Chris Drury (Time Capsule, 2002)

Trudi Entwistle (The Space in Between, 2000)

Kathleen Gilrain (Impressions of Lost Life, 2000)

Yolanda Gutiérrez (The Devotion of the Sunflower, 2003)

Martha Jackson-Jarvis (Ochun, 2000)

Karen McCoy (Invisible Operations, 1999)

Herb Parker (Crucible, 1995 and Crucible: Crucibulum Evolutum, 2004)

Brian Rust (Earthen Bridge, 1996 and Earthen Bridge Reconstructed, 2006)

Nils-Udo (Clemson Clay Nest, 2005)