We have two new sculptures. One was released this year and is entitled
“Homebuilders” and the other is a new sculpture scheduled to be cast and
released next year entitled “Sex Object.” 
Now, I love almost all the sculpture that my husband, Jeff, creates. I love these
two sculptures but the funny thing is that I am very sensitive about who I show them to.
Jeff never creates sculpture as statements about anything. He is just exploring
the human condition with no judgement. He observes, contemplates and sculpts.
There are lots of artists who are radical or militant or just angry and are
creating statements meant to rile up the public. Not Jeff.
When he started “Homebuilders,” it was a commission from two wonderful
gay guys who really wanted to celebrate their life together. They had been looking
for a sculpture that would portray the life that they were building but everything they
found was either cheesy or homoerotic. Not what they wanted. We met them at a
show in the San Francisco Bay area. They stopped by our display on Saturday and
talked to Jeff about their ideas and he said come back tomorrow and let’s see what I come
up with. He always took wax with us to shows so he could create in the down time.
He had an idea. Two guys building a treehouse. When they came back on
Sunday he had a wax sketch, very rough, but the idea was there. They loved it.
They have number one in the edition of 100 and are very happy.
Now we have this wonderful sculpture in our collection and I am ready to start
promoting it. But, I have a hesitation. I was excited and ready to send it to
all our of gay and lesbian clients. “Please, if it’s not for you, show it to
your friends!” is what I want to say, but it seems inappropriate. Maybe it is
more offensive that I think it is! I see a wonderful sculpture about two men who
really love each other building a life that means a lot to them. What will others
see? But, if I don’t show it to them, am I doing a disservice to my clients who
might really want to add it to their collections or show it to their friends? It is
a real quandary! What should I do?
Tomorrow: Sex Object
In my humble opinion no one should ever be hesitant in the displaying of their art. If the art is created for adults then of course limit its displaying to adults, but never be afraid of what people might think of it. Everyone will have their own interpretation to a piece of art, and I believe that to be the very purpose of art. Art comes from inspiration, imagination, and opinion thus it will create this in all that view it. The experience might be positive or negitive, but that is not for you to determine. If a person is on your mailing list; or has shown interest in Jeff’s past works, than I am sure they will appreciate Jeff’s new works even if it is something they would not normally be interested in.
Comment by Robert Sherwood — October 6, 2008 @ 1:24 pm