Fleche VIII
View Similar Items
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 5
John Van AlstineFleche VIII
About the Item
- Creator:John Van Alstine (1952, American)
- Dimensions:Height: 15 in (38.1 cm)Width: 19 in (48.26 cm)Depth: 4 in (10.16 cm)
- Medium:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Gallery Location:Greenwich, CT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2514831892
John Van Alstine
BIOGRAPHY Born in upstate New York in 1952, John Van Alstine grew up in the southern Adirondack Mountains. After attending St. Lawrence University, Kent State University (BFA 1974) and Cornell University (MFA 1976), he joined the faculty at the University of Wyoming, Laramie, and later the University of Maryland, College Park, to teach drawing and sculpture. In 1986 he left teaching and moved to the New York area to pursue studio work full-time. In 1987 he purchased a 19th century industrial complex on the banks of the Sacandaga River and returned to the Adirondacks where he now lives and works in the restored historic structure. Van Alstine's work is held in many private and public and corporate collections in the United States and Europe. He has completed many large scale outdoor, site-specific commissions. ARTIST STATEMENT The union of stone and metal—recently rough-hewn New York slate and found object steel—are central in my sculpture. On its most basic level, the work is about the marriage of the natural with the human-made. Stone is used as an assemblage element in the way a welder uses steel, rather than in the traditional manner of subtraction. In contrast to the timelessness of stone, the found-object steel is very time-specific—20th century industrial. The industrial and structural characteristics inherent in the metal are often employed in the work and used to physically connect or suspend stone elements. The strength of the metal allows for a "choreographing" or "floating" of typically earthbound stone. The Sisyphean Circle Series is an attempt to draw parallels between the Greek mythological character and the plight of the artist. As we all know, Sisyphus was forced to roll a large stone up a steep hill, only to have it tumble back after reaching the top. A toil that lasts an eternity is an applicable metaphor for the creative process—especially for a stone sculptor, on both a physical and symbolic level. I am constantly pushing stone around the studio, striving to reach a creative "peak", and once there, start over on the next piece. The process is neverending. Albert Camus, the French existentialist, in his essay The Myth of Sisyphus, used this myth to illustrat his notion that reaching one’s final destination is not of utmost importance. In fact, if one "reconsiders Sisyphus", as Camus suggests, the struggle or journey reveals itself as, ultimately, the most meaningful—an idea that I, and many others, believe is central to the creative process. EDUCATION Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, M.F.A., Cornell Graduate Fellowship in Sculpture, 1976 Kent State University, Kent, Ohio, B.F.A. cum laude, Sculpture, Ceramics and Glass, 1974
Blossom Festival School, Cleveland-Kent, Ohio, 1973, Studied with Richard Stankiewicz, Richard Hunt
St. Lawrence University, Canton, New York, 1970-72
About the Seller
4.9
Platinum Seller
These expertly vetted sellers are 1stDibs' most experienced sellers and are rated highest by our customers.
Established in 2012
1stDibs seller since 2013
144 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 1 hour
More From This SellerView All
- John Van Alstine - Charon's Steel Styx Passage, Sculpture 1996By John Van AlstineLocated in Greenwich, CTCharon's Steel Styx Passage, John Van Alstine. Stone and metal, usually granite or slate and found object steel are central in my sculpture. The interaction of these materials is a ...Category
1990s Abstract Geometric Abstract Sculptures
MaterialsGranite, Bronze, Steel
- John Van Alstine - Fleche VIII, Sculpture 2017By John Van AlstineLocated in Greenwich, CTStone and metal,usually granite or slate and found object steel are central in my sculpture. The interaction of these materials is a major focus. On the most basic level the work is ...Category
2010s Abstract Geometric Sculptures
MaterialsGranite, Bronze, Steel
- John Van Alstine - Column 7-16, Sculpture 2016By John Van AlstineLocated in Greenwich, CTColumn 7-16, John Van Alstine. Stone and metal, usually granite or slate and found object steel are central in my sculpture. The interaction of these materials is a major focus. On ...Category
2010s Abstract Geometric Abstract Sculptures
MaterialsGranite, Steel
- John Van Alstine - Round Mountain Landscape, Sculpture 2001By John Van AlstineLocated in Greenwich, CTRound Mountain Landscape, John Van Alstine. Stone and metal, usually granite or slate and found object steel are central in my sculpture. The interaction of these materials is a majo...Category
Early 2000s Abstract Geometric Abstract Sculptures
MaterialsGranite, Steel
- John Van Alstine - Round Mountain Landscape III, Sculpture 2015By John Van AlstineLocated in Greenwich, CTGranite/ Steel Stone and metal, usually granite or slate and found object steel are central in my sculpture. The interaction of these materials is a major focus. On the most basic l...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Abstract Sculptures
MaterialsStone, Granite, Metal, Steel
- John Van Alstine - Round Mountain Landscape III, Sculpture 2002By John Van AlstineLocated in Greenwich, CTGranite/ Steel Stone and metal, usually granite or slate and found object steel are central in my sculpture. The interaction of these materials is a major focus. On the most basic l...Category
Early 2000s Abstract Abstract Sculptures
MaterialsStone, Granite, Metal, Steel
You May Also Like
- Family Tree II 3/8By Kevin BoxLocated in Napa, CAPainted cast stainless steel, patinated bronze, granite base “It took two years of tireless experimentation for me to develop the process of casting paper into bronze, another seven...Category
2010s Contemporary Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsGranite, Bronze, Steel
$28,000 - "Fleche (diagonally down)", Industrial Abstract Sculpture in Metal & StoneBy John Van AlstineLocated in New York, NY"Fleche (diagonally down)" by John Van Alstine Granite, bronze, stainless steel The sculpture of John Van Alstine beautifully, and powerfully, balances the union of stone and metal,...Category
2010s Abstract Abstract Sculptures
MaterialsStone, Granite, Metal, Steel, Bronze, Stainless Steel
- Baraka - contemporary mixed media red abstract sculptureBy Richard SleeLocated in London, GBBaraka from Arabic means a spiritual power believed to be possessed by certain people or objects. The sculpture is an amalgamation of possible mechanical and organic forms capturin...Category
2010s Contemporary Abstract Sculptures
MaterialsGranite, Steel
- "Sisyphean Circle (homage to Major Taylor)", Industrial, Abstract SculptureBy John Van AlstineLocated in New York, NY"Sisyphean Circle (homage to Major Taylor)" by John Van Alstine Slate, pigmented and sealed steel "Major Taylor's legacy lies in his willingness to chall...Category
2010s Abstract Abstract Sculptures
MaterialsStone, Granite, Metal, Steel
- "Reconsidering Sisyphus (fallen obelisk)", Large, Industrial, Abstract SculptureBy John Van AlstineLocated in New York, NY"Reconsidering Sisyphus (fallen obelisk)" by John Van Alstine Granite, galvanized and powder-coated steel The sculpture of John Van Alstine beautifully, and powerfully, balances the...Category
2010s Abstract Sculptures
MaterialsStone, Granite, Metal, Steel
- "Ascension (red reamer)", Abstract Outdoor Sculpture, Stone, Metal, IndustrialBy John Van AlstineLocated in New York, NY"Ascension (red reamer)" by John Van Alstine Granite, red pigmented and sealed steel The sculpture of John Van Alstine beautifully, and powerfully, balances the union of stone and m...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Sculptures
MaterialsStone, Granite, Metal, Steel