Artist’s Statement
Laird Nygren
| I have always enjoyed working with my hands, particularly on complex projects. Creating and building sculptures require the harmony of body and mind and incorporate my strong connection with nature’s offerings of metal, rock and wood. Nature’s asymmetrical balance and constant change are an endless source of inspiration for my original artwork and are a model for the spiritual grace in the kinetic and static sculptures I create.
Each piece of art begins as an abstract idea or feeling, which I then sketch, build into a model and then a sculpture. When I forge metal, I am reminded of the forces of nature that formed the earth and continue to change it. As such, my sculptures are only ’finished’ because I must move on, either in art or life. Often I feel as though I could work on a piece forever, continuing to change and perfect its form, as nature does. |
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The creative process of imagining and then giving life to kinetic sculptures challenges me physically and mentally. When a piece is complete, and even while I am creating it, I feel a sense of excitement and well being. Completion gives me an inner peace that often comes only through personal growth and achievement.
Building sculptures began as a personal and private hobby. When family and friends responded positively, I was encouraged by yet another personal benefit, that of giving enjoyment to others. Public response to my work has also been an inspiration for future sculptures, and I enjoy great satisfaction when I watch someone’s wonderment and fascination as they contemplate my works of art. |
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Artist’s Resume
Nygren Sculptures are metal and rock sculptures built using traditional blacksmithing and modern welding techniques. I am self-taught and create from natural instincts using craftsman’s skills such as woodworking and carpentry, small machinery expertise, welding, and drawing. Nygren Sculptures is presently a part-time business that I am building into a full-time line of work.
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Exhibits:
Springbox Art Gallery, Portland, OR - 2009
Gallery 9, Lincoln, NE - 2006
Louisville Art Gallery, Louisville, NE - 2005
Juried Art Fesivals:
Artfest Michigan Avenue 2015
Lincoln Arts Festival, Lincoln, NE - 2006, 2007, 2009-2015
Vail Summer Arts Festival 2010
Omaha Summer Arts Festival, Omaha, NE - 2008 & 2009
Awards/Recognition:
Best of Show 2014 - Lincoln Arts Festival
Award of Merit 2009 - Omaha Summer Arts Festival
Award of Excellence 2007 - Lincoln Arts Festival
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Commissions:
Apogee is a 13-foot tall sculpture installed on the grounds of the University of Nebraska-Omaha campus at Mammel Hall in August 2010.
The Sail is a15-foot-tall kinetic sculpture installed on the grounds of a private residence in Lincoln, Nebraska in 2008. The concrete base of the sculpture is buried five feet underground. I designed and completed all installation work within agreed upon time and budget constraints.
Wind Chime #6 is a 7-foot kinetic sculpture commissioned for the yard of a private residence in Lincoln, Nebraska in Spring 2010.
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