Eye-Catching Sculptures Reunite Artists, Viewers

As featured in The Detroit News, February 19, 1999

By Joy Hakanson Colby

The gathering of 3-D works at the new Detroit Contemporary Gallery - by 21 Metro Detroit sculptors, all seasoned pros - hasn't been seen for years in these parts. An exhibit like this, which includes so many artists and maintains such a high level of quality, is well worth viewing.

Sculptor Hugh Timlin curated the showing of 54 works, bringing together artists he has known and respected as teachers, mentors, students and friends. Thus, the collection serves as a reunion for the exhibitors as well as for viewers who have followed their work for years.

One conversation piece is Jay Holland's sheet bronze helmet, a signature piece that is immediately recognizable as his art. Also unmistakable is Robert Sestok's sheet steel tower with its sophisticated balance of negative and positive space.

Tom Phardel, who made his reputation as a clay artist, is represented by two steel works - a curved wall piece called Inner Core and a floor piece where the weight flows to the bottom.

Sharon Que's tear drop of cast bronze is suspended over a base painted with concentric circles. This peice is taut and precisely keyed, like all her work.

Robert Bielat introduces gentler manipulations of stones and branches. Another new body of work is by Rose Dalessandro, whose female fertility figures are contained in black ovals.

Sergio DeGiusti sent several romantic sculptures, the most dramatic being a striking bandaged head in white hydrocal. Ray Katz is in top form with black metal abstractions that radiate energy.

Other fine works are Brian Kritzman's black walnut floor piece; Sally Kaplan's small bronze figures; Matt Holland's portable sculpture garden; Lois Teicher's maquette for her pioneer bonnet sculpture at Legacy Art Park in northern Michigan; Brian Kremer's gouged and painted wood relief; and curator Timlin's pristine architectural pieces in stone.

In fact, there isn't a dud in the bunch. Detroit Contemporary, which is owned by Aaron Timlin (Hugh's son), is off to a flying start as a showcase for Michigan artists.