Stacy Tatman Photography

Heavy Metal Shredder?

Chicken Shit! No, bronze sculptor Jay Wright is not a coward, but his career did have humble beginnings. At age five, Jay's mom discovered him out in the yard of their Calistoga chicken ranch having completed several beautiful pieces in ...uh, well...anyway!

As I interviewed Jay, I found he had many other interesting stories to tell, yes, more tales of fertilizer, also (almost) dead cats, and giant frogs--better to read for yourself . . .

Although Jay has a fantastic sense of humor, his work is seriously amazing. An admirer describes his work: "Whether capturing the carefree alliance of a child and the natural world, or the flight of human fingers fervently embracing a musical score, Jay Wright is committed to blending the subtleties of movement with the spirit of circumstance. Control meets passion, wisdom bows to innocence, and supernatural themes surround the earthly, evoking a universal tension at the core of his sensual and fluid forms. Wright's sculptures enhance their environs with a mystical allure, enticing onlookers with their potent, enigmatic force."

I had a chance to meet with the artist at his studio, and here are excerpts from Jay's thoughtful comments...

ST: You know my favorite piece is Fallen Angel, what were your inspirations for this one?
JW: This is a noncommissioned, speculative piece. This piece depicts a young angel crying on the lap of a wise man. Often times I draw from the subconscious or the piece may directly relate to experiences I have had (like the three women and wine piece I am currently working on). Nonetheless this piece, even I do not yet fully understand the meaning of. Perhaps it will come to me in time. I do not consider myself a deeply religious person yet at the same time I feel that from a higher power I have been greatly inspired. One thing is for certain--I was absolutely driven to pursue this piece like none other and thus I consider it my best endeavor to date.

ST: What is the hardest part?
JW: Producing and selling a body of work where the average casting cost of a life-size sculpture is around $11,000. Try to talk a guy into taking a second out on his house for a $40,000 chunk of metal to adorn his front yard!

ST: Here's the tough one, what is art?
JW: Someone asked me that once. I didn't know so I looked it up in a dictionary. Now I really don't know. Applied knowledge through interpretation I would say. Better yet, what isn't art? Everything that is created is a form of expression. That expression has meaning and therefore is an art form.

ST: What is the role of art in our culture in general, and for your work specifically?
JW: Whether it be fine art or not so fine art, I would like to think that it has some sort of significance in representing a view, a segment of history or sign of the times. I feel I have achieved true art when it is viewed by most as thought provoking and powerful in one sense and at the same time aesthetically pleasing and unobtrusive. Sometime back a city just north of here commissioned an artist for a public installation. What they got was a larger than life-size pile of dung. Great if you're a fly I suppose but I question how many of the population were appreciative of it. I feel that for public installations the artist has a certain obligation for keeping withincertain parameters or else go search out a collector who owns a fertilizer plant. There will always be a place for art whether it be in the finest of museums, on the wall of your mom's sewing room or in the bottom of a river. Just as long as there is and will always be...ART. As this relates to the big picture and since I believe everything creates is an art form, we a society, as mankind in turn have an obligation to preserve all that nature has created. This is where art in the purest form lies.

ST: Strangest experience?
JW: I was working on a sleeping nude in clay and I wanted to cover up her privates. I needed a cat for a model. Specifically a dead cat due to the fact that cats don't much like to stand still on demand. So I called the pound and inquired. So I tried a different approach same phone call--'what about your live ones?' Definitely no help. So I went in under a different name and got myself a cat after all. Turns out and lucky for Pierre, I decided to use drapery for the sculpture instead. Another time I wanted to sculpt a giant frog. Uh...Never mind.

ST: What does it mean to be an artist?
JW: To live clay an eat Top Ramen, frog legs and catnip. Get up the next morning and love to do it all over again.

ST: What are some problems you've overcome, and any advice to other artists?
JW: Learning the lesson of patience. Knowing that success and recognition don't happen overnight. It's all about motivation, perseverance and a respect for the road traveled. Stay focused and don't give up. Know that you have the power to change what you do with your life. I was almost half way through my productive life before discovering where my true passion lies. I didn't stop searching.

ST: What is your greatest success or achievement?
JW: Getting published in ...what's the name of this magazine?
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Contact Info: Jay Wright: 3110 Porter Street, Soquel, CA 95073
831-464-1020 fax 831-464-3076
www.jaywright.com www.aejv.com/wright.htm jay@jaywright.com