Nature connects us in ways that are hard to imagine. It connects at such a fundamental level that it can be taken for granted. That’s where art comes in to reunify us with the natural world, a world that sculptor Bryce Pettit strives to enhance with idyllic bronzes that capture its imperfect perfection, opening us up to a magical world either far away or in our own backyard.
Happy Jack, stainless steel, ed. of 35, 23 x 14 x 10 in.In his show titled Tributaries, Pettit brings his newest bronze menagerie to life, with six to eight new pieces, inspired by a month-long rafting trip through the Grand Canyon that allowed him to camp under the stars away from the distractions of the modern world.
“Pettit invites us into a world where rivers flow and otters glide gracefully. In his Tributaries exhibit, you’ll find a gentle fawn taking its first step, a canyon wren sculpture echoing the ‘Canyon Song,’ and a pair of mallard ducks,” says Blue Rain Gallery’s marketing director, Leah Garcia. “Pettit’s skill also extends to detailed mice sculptures and butterfly displays, showcasing the intricate beauty of these delicate creatures.” She adds that Tributariespromises to be a “celebration of nature’s wonders, a testament to Bryce Pettit’s unwavering commitment to capturing the poetry of the wild.”
Nearly Dawn, bronze, ed. of 35, 31 x 8 x 8 in.
Pettit’s admiration for these creatures goes back to his childhood growing up in rural areas surrounded by the beauty of the woods and rivers, channeling that passion into studying aquatic ecology and biology, which has weaved seamlessly into his artwork. Pettit believes his interest in biology and his interest in art overlap so perfectly because both come from a place of wanting to understand these creatures and tell their stories. Where biology finds the science, art finds the essence. Through Tributaries, Pettit explores themes and stories within himself, and he feels having the meaning of these stories built into the work will connect with the viewer on so many different levels.
The Lumberjack, bronze with patinas, ed. of 40, 19 x 8 x 7½ in.
A perfect example is a personal favorite of Pettit’s, Moon Garden, a piece depicting a spellbinding ring-tailed cat looking out beneath the tendrils of the datura flower, inviting you into a magical little garden. The piece originally debuted at Blue Rain Gallery last year and Pettit is bringing it back in his new collection because it exemplifies the feeling and enchanting mood he worked so hard to render for the show.
To the Ends of the Earth, bronze with patinas, ed. of 35, 19 x 21 x 17 in.
“Hopefully, the sculpture shows you this beautiful part of our natural history in the Four Corners area...“[I add] in my own little personal stories throughout, and then you are finding a way that you connect with it in your own personal stories,” says Pettit.
Tributaries offers collectors the chance to reflect on those personal stories and immerse themselves into a world beyond their own, guiding them through an array of beautiful sculptures, reconnecting them to the magic of the natural world.
The show opens at Blue Rain Gallery in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on April 26 with an artist reception from 5 to 7 p.m. The show runs through May 10. —
Blue Rain Gallery 544 S. Guadalupe Street, Santa Fe, NM 87501, (505) 954-9902, www.blueraingallery.com
Powered by Froala Editor
