ArtPrize - Sep. 23 - Oct. 8, 2009 - Grand Rapids, MI
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Artist information:
Gregory Lewis
Chester, Virginia

Text voting ID: Tooltip
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Gregory Lewis

Artist bio

I grew up in Lynchburg, Virginia and developed a passion for art at a young age. It started as early as elementary school where my first memory was being designated "art director" of my 5th grade class. I initiated and directed art projects for my entire class. This is when my love for working with "found objects" was born. I have a fervor for using simple, common items to create works of art. My enthusiasm continued into my secondary schooling. One of the most monumental moments was an assignment to create "something" from toothpicks. My infatuation began. The crackle of that first box of toothpicks opening, knowing that a piece of my imagination will soon appear, is fascinating to me. I am a self educated artist without formal training. My heart and creativity lead me from the beginning of a project to it's end. I work with multiple mediums and enjoy challenging myself with unchartered areas of art. However, toothpick art continues to dominate my artists' vision.
About the work
Title: Pamlico "The Mermaid"

Art form: 3-D

Medium: 87,000 toothpicks

Year created: 2010

Description of work: Pamlico was created out of my love for the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The "Pamlico Sound" is the largest lagoon on the east coast of the U.S. is a habitat for millions of water fowl. It's majestic appeal gave birth to the idea of Pamlico. As I created her, my mind escaped to this nautical area. Imagining her frolicking through the shallow, brackish waters, and surfacing just before washing upon the shore.
She began with 1 toothpick that developed into her lips. Gradually this grew into hundreds of toothpicks speading horizontally to create her face. Her trunk took shape over the next few months. Placing each toothpick side-by-side, molding, glueing, and bending each, gently, to create her arms, hands, and tail. Thousands of scales had to clad their way from tail to neck. Pamlico's scales, alone, used 32,250 toothpicks. Her hair was pain stakingly formed by creating small breaks to create the wavy, tossled look that she bears. Eighteen months later, I present to you, "Pamlico"

Technical details
Linear wall space needed: n/a
Total square feet needed: 36 sq. ft.
Additional considerations
Audio/video needed: No
Electrical needed: No
Lighting needed: Yes
Internet access needed: No
Ground floor access needed: No
Indoor space needed: Yes
Outdoor space needed: No
Grand Rapids Public Museum - Exhibition Center Gregory Lewis is showing at:
Grand Rapids Public Museum - Exhibition Center
272 Pearl ST NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Venue location

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