Art About Town Oakland: "Offering" And "Uprising" By Bruce Johnson

"Offering" By Bruce Johnson, 2009, Redwood and Copper

"A man should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine picture every day of his life, in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul."

~Johan Wolfgang Von Goethe

Late last month, I visited a lovely park in Oakland, the Uptown ArtPark, that was filled with sculptures... and inspiration. I posted the first photo of the sculptures I photographed that day, here, which was titled "Dandelion" by artist, Karen Cusolito, now I bring you two more. They are titled, "Offering" and "Uprising" by Bruce Johnson. Both sculptures are made of redwood and copper, and both were dated 2009. I must say, I enjoyed them very much, but there was something about "Offering" that captured my attention longer as I studied it from all angles.


"Uprising" By Bruce Johnson, 2009, Redwood and Copper

So tell me, what do you think? Do you enjoy Public Art and if so, any thoughts on these two pieces?

"He he works with his hands is a laborer.
He who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman.
He who works with his hands and his head and his heart is an artist."

~St. Francis Of Assisi

Visit the artist's website to learn more about the artist and his sculptures...
Form And Energy... Sculpture By Bruce Johnson

I will be posting more photos of sculptures on display in the Uptown ArtPart next month, so stay tuned!


Mood: Happy

~Me :)

Art About Town: Oakland; Dandelion, By Karen Cusolito

"Art and love are the same thing: It's the process of seeing yourself in things that are not you."

~Chuck Klosterman, Killing Yourself To Live: 85% Of A True Story

Yesterday, Memorial Day, is a perfect day for hunting down Public Art. The traffic is low, and their is very few people moving about, so unobstructed views of the art, makes the whole trip a much nicer experience. Although, sometimes I actually enjoy watching others enjoy the art along with me. I don't know... I guess it just all depends on my mood. Yesterday it was cloudy and on the verge of raining, which is my favorite kind of day. Clouds and mist do something to outdoor sculptures. To me it somehow inspires a deeper appreciation for sculpture. I am not sure why, but it does. I think I must have a bit if Lilly Munster in me. Give me a cloudy day, a picnic basket, and sculpture park, and I am one happy lady. Oh and of course... my cameras.



This sculpture, "Dandelion" by Karen Cusolito, was one of 9 sculptures that grace this temporary sculpture park, the Uptown ArtPark, at 19th and Telegraph avenue in Oakland. I was able to photograph all 9 sculptures in this exhibit, all by crafted by different local artists, and I will be posting the rest of them over the next few months, along with public art from various other Northern California cities. Even with the incessant sunshine, I can't think of a better way to spend a summer then by photographing beautiful public art.

Stay Tuned!

Mood: Happy

~Me :)