Inspired by her knowledge of ancient world mythologies and religions, Brandy Stark has produced her "Metal Myths" series since 1995. Ms. Stark utilizes found objects and metal mediums to resurrect ancient characters, deities, and ideals in the modern world.
Each piece is hand worked; there is no glue or welding involved in this process. The artist utilizes the natural colors of the metals (brass, bronze, and aluminum or steel) in creating her works. Employing a technique that combines "wrapping," "weaving," and "sewing" the metal, she utilizes heavy materials with open spaces to create a unifying tension in each sculpture.
As an additional statement about contemporary culture, Ms. Stark often adds found objects to her three-dimensional tapestries. While augmenting the uniqueness of the work, the implementation of found objects show that nothing, and symbolically no one, is truly useless. All have a place in this world.
As a multi-award winning artist, she has earned awards for her metal statues, creative writing, web site design, and photography. In 2001, she served as an artist-in-residence for Bay Pines VA Hospital. In 2002, she created a specialized art tour designed in conjunction with the internationally attended Dragon*con Convention. She continues to find ways to introduce the public to local artists-in-residence, to new and varied art venues, and to stress the importance of art in society.
She has presented numerous art-related workshops at both museum and gallery settings. She has also enumerated academic lectures for the St. Petersburg Historical Museum, the Florida International Museum, and the Dali Museum.
Her artist memberships include the Arts Center, The Exhibiting Society of Artists (TESA), The Arts Center, Gulf Coast Artists’ Alliance (GCAA), the Dali Museum, the Florida Craftsmen, and the Avant Garde/Tampa Museum of Art.
As a former freelance arts reporter, Ms. Stark wrote for the St. Petersburg Times. She published additional topical articles for Bayside News, www.sterlingpowell.com, Pug Talk Magazine, The Pinellas Informer and for www.carolineyork.com.
Ms. Stark graduated with her Masters in Religious Studies from the University of South Florida and is continuing her education in the field of the Humanities. She is presently an instructor in World Religions and Humanities at St. Petersburg College, the University of Tampa, Eckerd College, and Hillsborough Community College.
Current and Available Works as of 2/08:
Yes, I create custom works!
Current and Upcoming Art Shows:
DucKon
Armadillocon
WorldCon
A Taste for Wine
Also showing in the "Artist's Way Co-Op
Gallery.
Recently won: Best 3-D (Free Falling)
Best Concept Design (Cat and Mouse)
Polymer Clay Ornaments
Hand Wrapped Wire Metal Sculpture and Found Object Art
OTHER: Computer Art (prints with hand coloring)
These are images of the Multi-breasted Artemis (above) and a Vestal Virgin (right) that I took while in Rome. I utilized them through a computer program to generate a pro-art motto, "Let your Inner Muse out: Live, Love, Create!" All are hand collored to make them just a little bit mroe unique.
Memento Mori: Portable Cemetaries
Smaller items
Alien-themed art; image is of the old John's Pass bridge. The back is supposed to indicate an alien conspiracy; found objects included.
Copper Mermaid.
The Beacon, statue mounted on painted canvas.
Motherboard: Where IS Fatherboard?
Daphne: Transforming into the tree.
Memento Mori: Take Time for Friends.
Pug-goyle pin
Hanging Pug-goyle
Bewitching.
The rose garden 2008 -- the statue is my self-portrait. I like the rainbow image (yes, yes, light refreaction) by the statue at right.
Fish.
Freedom.
Friendship
Solstice
Dancing Faerie
Catfish
Peacock.
Star 1
Star 2
St. Brigid's crosses (protects houses from lightning and fire. brings good luck)
Solstice 2
I created a horse statue as based on the photo of BJ, at left. I used aluminum for the core, black and copper wire for the outside. I also had found objects given by the patron to work into the horse. Photo by Donna, the patron.
Cat and Mouse
Southern Belle
Flower beds: found objects and some found/inherited and bought plants.
OKeanos, my merman statue (14 feet) to left.
Calico Cat and Patchwork Pup
Click here to add text.
