SYMPOSIUM 2012
Four unique and professional approaches to the granite carving were brought to CAI Art Grounds by Kevin Duffy, Jay Hungate, Bill Turville and Zsolt Nyari. To incorporate our Art Education into this event, we invited Mark Smith who is a granite carving student at CAI to participate in the Symposium by collaborating with Yin. We found that indeed this context is the perfect teaching environment. We can see in just three weeks that his accomplishment is literally set in stone.
ZSOLT NYARI
A renowned sculptor, born in Hungary, Zsolt’s artwork is in public spaces in Italy, Croatia, Japan and Hungary. He has graduated from JPTE BTK Master of Fine Arts School and is currently teaching at the Janus Pannonius University of Pécs.
KEVIN DUFFY
A stone sculptor living in Arlington Massachusetts. Kevin studied at the Montserrat College of Art and graduated from the Academy of Fine and Applied Art in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Kevin worked as a technical illustrator for many years. Kevin currently works as a monument conservator. His work has been exhibited in both the US and Europe.
JAY HUNGATE
An active sculptor lives in Lowell MA, Jay has done many major public sculptural projects and is the primary Gargoyle statue producer in New England area; he has served on the Board of the New England Sculptor’s Association. He hold a degree in sculpture from Massachusetts College of Art and Design.
WILLIAM TURVILLE
A sculptor and architect; his studio is based at Brickbottom Artist’s Association in Boston. Turville is very active in art education and has made significant contributions advocating for the art communities. His work ranges from festival sculpture and installations to commissioned work for institutions and unique work for themed shows, causes and charities.
This First Symposium has marked the beginning of our “New Art Archeology†concept – instead of digging up artifacts, we are creating artwork with a 21st century interpretation of figurative sculpture using the existing granite blocks on the CAI grounds as an archaeological landmark for the future. The four artists for this important event are Laszlo Varkoly, Batu Siharulidze, Jenny Page, and John Weidman. The artists’ interaction with their stone as well as among themselves and audience was simply beautiful to watch. Read “Acton Arts Colony Showcases Works Carved in Stone” – Boston Globe, 2011
BATU SIHARULIDZE
(b1960-) born in the Republic of Georgia; graduated from the Tbilisi State Academy of Fine Art and an advanced post-graduate degree from the All-Union Academy in Moscow. In 1994, following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Batu immigrated to the US. Batu has won numerous sculpture competitions, and has been frequently invited to participate in exhibits and symposiums throughout the world. Currently he is Head of Sculpture Department at Boston University.