Telluride Miners' Memorial

"The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things,
but their inward significance." -Aristotle

Richard Arnold creates soul in bronze. He forms clay into heart. He captures a depth in his work that marks him as a master. This is why he has been commissioned for the Telluride Miners' Memorial, a work that must speak of not only the hardships and struggles of the miners, but one that also recreates the courage of the man who brought the miners together in unity, hope, trust, and peace. A real leader is one who thinks only of those he serves and is willing to risk his life for friend and enemy alike. Such a man was Vincent St. John, and Richard's hands will bring St. John back to life in bronze.

"Working in clay and wax, then having my art cast in bronze, I attempt to capture the spirit and personality of the subject," Richard says. " My sculptures are sensitive, personal and from the heart."

The phrase, "I attempt" comes from his gentleness and humility, for all his work achieves his goal and more. Of his major works, his Mobile, Alabama Vietnam veteran, called "Remembering," illustrates the power of his gift. Richard, a member of the Vietnam Vets of America, created this pensive, life-sized sculpture as a reminder of the sacrifices of those who fought in the Vietnam War. Clad in a baseball cap, jeans, jungle boots and a military jacket, the former soldier wears a POW-MIA bracelet and clenches the dog tag of a friend who wasn't fortunate enough to return home. He stands alone in front of the wall of names, no platform or base to set him apart from the flesh-and-blood viewers. In the soft twilight of creeping night some viewers have mistaken the sculpture for a real man, afraid to go closer, afraid to disturb his remembering. This speaks volumes of Richard's power to capture spirit.

A sister of a Vietnam veteran said of the Mobile sculpture: "I won't get tired of saying how much I love the Vietnam Vet memorial - not only for its heart, beauty, and simplicity, but because the artist captured the deepest bond of the soldier, his bond to life, not death. This soldier is my brother Dan, and he's Dan's heartbreak for lost buddies and Dan's memories of that war that left him empty. I am deeply moved by this work."

While many other memorial sculptures depict soldiers in combat, Richard's masterwork reflects contemporary veterans looking back on what they and their fellow soldiers endured. Arnold donated the sculpture to the Lower Alabama Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Battleship Park, Mobile, Alabama.

The son of a Colorado coal miner, Richard Arnold has enjoyed earlier careers in both the construction and aviation industries. He has lived in many parts of the United States, and studied with noted artists. His commercial contractor background enables him to work with community members and leaders to envision public sculpture that captures the unique character of local culture. Richard imbues each piece with the humanity of the place where it becomes a heart-work for the townspeople. Currently Richard is finishing a veterans' memorial for the town of Fruita, Colorado. His other works include the following public and private bronzes:

"Sofia"

Cast in bronze, armed with schoolbooks and dressed in a hooded sweatshirt with a bag slung over her shoulder, Sofia stands at the Middle/High School bus stop in Telluride, perpetually waiting for the bus. Sofia was unveiled in March 2005 as the first bronze sculpture commissioned by the Art in Public Places Program. Her name comes from the San Sofia mountain range that rises along Telluride's north side. The name, Sofia, is from the Greek word for wisdom.

"Lisa"

Richard was the featured artist for Telluride's 14th annual WILD WEST FEST 2005, hosted by the Sheridan Arts Foundation. For the event he created Lisa, a bas-relief sculpture. A photograph of Lisa was superimposed over the bronze for the event poster. During the festival, Richard held a poster signing at which the sculpture was auctioned as an event fundraiser. Every year the WILD WEST FEST brings at-risk youth to Telluride for a week of theater, dance and outdoor activities. The event always honors a celebrated artist who participates in the festivities.

"Robert"

Richard's bronze bust of a young boy captures the innocence and beauty of eternal youth. The little boy shines with hope as he gazes into the future. The sculpture is a portrait of a real child, astoundingly and flawlessly recreated.

The Ah Haa School

Richard shares his gifts with Telluride students, both young and old, through the classes he teaches at the Ah Haa School. He offers a six-week course to Middle and High School students in the fall, where he introduces sculpture materials and techniques. Students gain hands-on experience using plastilene or water-based clay on an armature, and have the opportunity to work with live models. Richard also offers an adult introductory course in portrait sculpture, held at various times throughout the year.

The Arnold Studio is in Telluride, Colorado 81435
Phone: 970.728.7074

Top see more of Richard Arnold's works, visit his online gallery at Arnold Telluride Studio

Email the artist: richard//at//telluridecolorado.net
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