David Sparks

I was inspired in part by Gustave Moreau’s angel in “Jacob wrestling with the Angel,” 1878. I chose to focus on certain portions of Genesis 28 that captured my attention. My sculpture represents Jacob’s response to his visitation (the pillar) and God’s promise of blessing, which is represented by the angel in my sculpture. 

All through the Bible stones (whole stones) signify holy truths. He (Jacob) set the stone he had put under his head up for a pillar and he poured oil on the top of it. The angel on the top of the pillar represents the words spoken by God to Jacob during the visitation. God promised blessing, protection, and His presence until the promise was complete.

John Lovett says: Formal balance is the safe, solid symmetrical balance used in much religious art. It is serious and predictable in keeping with the messages it delivers.

I have created a tension between the serious formalities of religious art with my formal balance in this piece, and the expressive dynamic of the highly textural surface.

Three expressions of the directional line offered up three qualities that I am excited about for this piece. Vertical lines offer expressions of strength (the pillar and figure). Horizontal lines offer expressions of peace (the angel’s arms) and curved lines convey graceful expressions (the curves of the angel’s wings).

About David

My recent sculptural works focus on the human figure and the expressive qualities that I have discovered by exploring materials to create interesting textural surfaces. The figures I create can be humorous, sometimes beautiful, and sometimes grotesque. My sculptural figures are made with paper clay. My paper clay is made with paper pulp and a powdered adhesive which is made into a clay-like material by adding water. Other materials that I use to create my work include; paper, glue, twine, burlap, wire, rubber latex, sawdust, sand, and drywall compound. These materials offer spontaneity and gestural effects for my work that I can’t get with conventional sculpting materials. I have recently created a new way of adding surface texture to my figures that involves spraying water on plaster in powdered form that is covering a nearly finished sculpture.

I have enjoyed working with spiritual content, and also tying narrative to my works. Several of my recent works have had more than one figure involved in the composition. These sculptural compositions are active, and I enjoy creating movement in these compositions with graceful curves and undulating lines. I find these lines complementary to my highly textural surfaces.