×

Nashua symposium sculptors inspired by surroundings

NASHUA – The fifth annual Nashua International Sculpture Symposium is in full swing, with a trio of sculptors from three very different artistic and cultural backgrounds hard at work on this year’s project.

Each sculptor will create a granite turtle to be placed in Bicentennial Park near the Main Street bridge. Although the subject and material are predetermined, the sculptors are free to interpret the turtles according to their own vision.

Get acquainted with two of this year’s sculptors, Michel Argouges and Hassan Kamel, by reading their profiles below. Tom Huff, a Native American sculptor who resides near Syracuse, N.Y., is also participating in the symposium, but wasn’t able to return his profile prior to presstime.

The public is encouraged to stop by Nimco in the Millyard during open studio hours to see all three sculptors at work and meet them in person.

Michel Argouges

COUNTRY: France.

QUESTION: What materials do you typically work with?

ANSWER: I used to work with stone (granite) and with steel associated at concrete.

Q: What led you to choose sculpture as your medium? Do you work in any other mediums?

A: I like the work of sculpture for the pleasure of work with the emptiness spaces you define around (in) the material and which are going to lead the shape you feel. I work with paints/draw on paper or wood, using acrylic and mixed other materials. It is another part of my work, different but necessary for me.

Q: What inspires your art?

A: I don’t really know – maybe just a shadow on the ground, which open many opportunities of interpretations.

Q: What is one of your most significant artistic accomplishments?

A: I hope it is not already behind me!

Q: How did you become involved with the symposium?

A: I was a part of Andres Institute symposium some years ago. It was a really great experience with the people and the site, so when John Weidman asked me for the Nashua symposium, I really enjoyed in that way.

Q: What is your vision for the turtle sculpture you’ll be creating during the symposium?

A: A turtle “feeling” with some specials.

Q: What are you looking forward to about New Hampshire?

A: During my last stay in New Hampshire, I was in the forest. Now I will be in town! So let’s see!

Hassan Kamel

COUNTRY: Egypt.

QUESTION: What materials do you typically work with?

ANSWER: Generally, I used to work with natural materials, especially stones, besides bronze, which I fell in love with so that I established my own foundry to cast my sculpture myself.

Q: What led you to choose sculpture as your medium? Do you work in any other mediums?

A: Sculpture for me is everything. It’s not only a limited field of art, but it’s a central point of crafts, which gives you a wide chance to express about yourself during art.

Q: What inspires your art?

A: Nature is the glory source for me, but it’s important to mention the artistic view of the ancient Egyptians in how to see and interpret it in specific treatments.

Q: What is one of your most significant artistic accomplishments?

A: Monumental sculpture for Taha Hussein, one of the Egyptian writers from the last century. It’s not a memorial statue, but I offer a point of view to show the intellectual aspect of the character in a landscape on 35-meter diameter and 12-meter height with granite and bronze materials.

Q: How did you become involved with the symposium?

A: I got an invitation after participating in AIA international sculpture symposium last year.

Q: What is your vision for the turtle sculpture you’ll be creating during the symposium?

A: I prepared a special case to present my special view, which it will be very own for Africa and Egypt.

Q: What are you looking forward to about New Hampshire?

A: I have been in New Hampshire before and there remains a lot to see. I expect to see more art activities.

Teresa Santoski can be reached at 594-6466 or tsantoski@nashuatelegraph.com. Also, follow Santoski on Twitter (@Telegraph_TS).