There is a lot of feeling in the face of this bronze statue. This is another sculpture from the Celebration of Fine Arts event I went to last Friday. This is by sculptor Ken Newman of Cambridge Idaho. This one stopped me in my tracks.
I've been trying to figure out why this particular sculpture moved me the way it did and all I can come up with is that I grew up in factory town. My grandfather worked for Gardner Denver (compressor manufacturing) for many years and my father worked there too for a short time before starting his own business. But, the city also had many other factories like Motorola, Moorman's Manufacturing, Quincy Compressor, Quincy Soybean (now ADM), Knapheide and Electric Wheel (now Titan Wheel). I'm certain there are more that I'm not remembering. While growing up I saw many scenes like this sculpture, men leaving the factories with lunch pails in hand and coat collars turned up against the cold. This sculpture seems to bring all that back to me. I stared at it and a flood of memories washed over me.
Mr. Newman packed a lot of emotion in this bronze. It's a powerful image.
19 comments:
It is very lifelike and captures movement perfectly!
I like the strength and pose of the statue.
Mersad
Mersad Donko Photography
I can see why this piece would evoke so many memories Sharon.. It really is wonderfully sculpted.
Nice pictures of this beautiful sculpture, although he seems a little worried...
Workin' Man. It's Americana.
Yes, that is about how I felt when leaving work at Motorola. In the winter months it was dark when I went in and dark when I went home. It's a very moving piece.
I often find these kinds of bronzes a little creepy exactly because they are so lifelike. But this one does appeal to me, especially after hearing your story. It's too bad manufacturing in the US is pretty much over.
It's very strong... and quite lifelike. The closeup shot gives the impression of toughness in the expression.
I agree. While my father never worked in a factory I knew many that did and it was hard work and often very tiring and I think the sculptor has captured all of that very well!
Me again. Here's a poem I wrote that would fit in well with this sculpture:
http://jacobsconfectionary.blogspot.com/2009/06/working-man.html
He looks so worried like maybe it is really the very last whistle - so many plants are closing!
This is a brilliant take on the hard working life...
The look on his face says it all.
It is lovely Sharon! The expression on the face is very moving. It's so nice when art brings back memories like this piece did for you.
Yes, this scultpture beautifully depicts a hard-working union man.
Excellent figure.
Yes, I can see why this sculpture affected you. I also see a blue collar worker, but there is some anguish in it, too.
Nice piece.
I definitely understand why you were so taken with it.
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