Artist Statement

Mathern’s take on the classic architectural structure gets a decidedly modern twist with this sculpture. Using technology rather than hand tools to render the female form, the artist pays homage to the sculpture’s Hellenistic roots while simultaneously bringing it to a contemporary audience with his own performative flare. The performance element begins at 2:30 p.m. when Mathern, a burn artist, will begin to transform his piece with fire.

View full performance details:

September 21 – Begin: 2:30 p.m. End: 8:00 p.m.

 

Artist Bio

Ryan Mathern graduated with a BA in art from Mercer University in 1992. For the past four years, he has been concentrating on steel sculpture, using a method involving adding virgin and reclaimed materials to a tubular steel substructure and steel rod framework. Mathern often combines phrases in Tibetan script with subject matter such as mythical creatures and Asian devotional machines.