Artist bio

I've truly been blessed throughout my career, spanning 45 years, as a sculptor, author and fine art instructor. A few notable commissioned pieces include a 10 foot historic bronze statue titled "Mother of All Life", installed at the Boyko Research Center in Israel. This is the first sculpture of it's kind in the Holy Land that represents the biblical character Eve. During the installation I was privileged to walk the stations of the cross. I had a profound spiritual awakening which deeply influenced my journey in faith, for which I am eternally grateful. Additionally, I created a 35 foot tall monument titled "Archangel", representing St. Michael, for the Walt Disney Company. The opportunity to create my patriotic statue "Remembrance" for the Connecticut Fallen Heroes Foundation was a humbling experience for me as a veteran. The sculpture honors Americas Fallen Heroes and Gold Star Families and has become a national symbol of freedom, service and sacrifice. Closer to home, in N.C. limited editions of "Remembrance" are installed in Waxhaw's Military Wall of Honor and The Stumptown Park Veteran Site, in Matthews. Also in N.C. the Scott Safety Corporation, manufacturing equipment for first responders, commissioned a bronze firefighter titled "Hero" for installation in their Monroe corporate lobby. The desire to share my knowledge led to teaching sculpture classes at the Brooklyn Museum Art School and The National Academy School of Fine Art in NYC. Subsequently, I conduct sculpture workshops and retreats throughout the US and in Tuscany, Italy. In 1997 I wrote my first instruction book titled the "Portrait in Clay" and in 2010 completed "Sculpting the Figure in Clay". Both books are Penguin Random House publications, distributed world wide and translated in 5 languages. Wanting to use God's gift of artistic talent plus have a deeper spiritual impact and personal connection with my audience, I developed an original extreme sculpting presentation titled 'Passion in Clay". I perform at various Christian venues around the country celebrating Jesus and making Him known, through my Passion performances, in a unique and compelling way. Jerod Chambers: Owner of Chambers Media Studios and Director of Media for Globe Life Ins. He held positions of Creative Director at Lifepointe Community Church in Fort Mill, S.C. and Senior Director of Communication and Production at Transformation Church in Indian Land S.C. Prior to these positions Jerod was Director of Video at Preston Trail Community Church, McKinney, Texas. Nate Siemon: Started as a student pastor at Lifepointe Christian Church, Fort Mill S.C. in 2005 and is currently their Lead Pastor.

Title

"Passion In Clay"

Medium/Genre

Other

Artist Statement

The performance video is a 1 minute distillation of my divinely inspired 15 minute extreme sculpting performance titled "Passion in Clay". I create a 225 lb. monumental clay portrait/bust of Jesus in 15 minutes choreographed to contemporary Christian music. This is a uniquely original, first of it's kind, high energy sculpting presentation. It gives audiences a rare opportunity to witness an art in action, sculptural interpretation of Jesus come to life before their eyes. All the elements of the portrait; shape of head, facial features, beard and hair are developed in sync with the music as I toss the clay using large cutting, shaping and tapping tools with bold arm gestures, while dancing around the sculpture. I've incorporated a clay crucified Jesus hidden in the back of the portrait which I turn and reveal to the audience one minute before finishing the sculpture. This is a surprise distraction in order for me to secretly place the Crown of Thorns with out anyone noticing. Once the crown is in place I turn the front of sculpture to the audience, who sees Jesus wearing the crown for the first time signaling the end of the performance as the music reaches a final crescendo. I want to get people excited about Jesus and engage them with an uplifting cultural experience that offers spiritual enrichment using my own personal style of Christian Entertainment. "Passion in Clay" fulfills the calling in me to move outside the studio and use my God given gift of artistic talent to celebrate the gospel and make Him known in a truly compelling way.

How it fits into contest

My performance speaks in ways that words cannot express. Watching Him come to life, one chunk of clay at a time, invokes the evolution of the Messiah. His light and truth are expressed as the facial features take shape and draws us ever closer to Him. Faith in Him holds the promise of eternal love and protection. As the portrait nears completion the anticipation and desire to know Him is heightened. The full armor, scope and spirit of His ministry are realized in the powerful imagery created in the larger then life clay form. The final dramatic crescendo occurs as the music ends in precise timing with the placement of the Crown of Thorns. A sobering and lasting impression remains as a reminder that He died on the cross for our sins and in Him we can find salvation, refuge, peace and hope.

Credits

Thanks to my friends Jerod Chambers, videographer/editor and Pastor Nate Siemon at Lifepointe Church in S.C. for supporting the 1 and 2 minute promotional video productions.

How to Purchase this Artwork

Kindly visit passioninclay.com or contact me peterrubino@gmail.com for booking and pricing information regarding a LIVE 15 minute "Passion In Clay" performance. Live performances are suitable for Church services, Pastor conferences, Leadership retreats, Christmas and Easter celebrations, Corporate and non profit events, Christian festivals, and more.

Other Goods & Services Available from this Artist

Kindly visit passioninclay.com or contact me peterrubino@gmail.com for booking and pricing information regarding a Live 15 minute "Passion In Clay" performance. Live performances are suitable for Church services, Pastor conferences, Leadership retreats, Christmas and Easter celebrations, Corporate and non profit events, Christian festivals, and more. Also visit passioninclay.com to purchase a small affordable and collectible table top resin sculpture of Jesus and view other bronze sculptures. Thank You.

Transcript / Lyrics

There are no words in a language other than English.

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