| Where
art is in full bloom
Sculptureworks launches venture with show of Robert Glen
pieces at Weston Gardens nursery
By JESSICA DeLEON
STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER
Robert Glen lives in
a tent in the bush of Kenya, where he has to travel 60 miles to
the nearest store. He can claim elephants and lions as neighbors.
"It's what we see every day," Glen said. "That's
what I try to do."
Glen creates dramatic sculptures of animals, such as lions courting
and leaping impala antelope. His works can be seen outdoors at the
Sculptureworks Garden Gallery at Weston Gardens nursery in Fort
Worth.
The location is a new step for Sculptureworks. The Hurst-based arts
organization has formed a for-profit corporation for showing and
selling works, while continuing a nonprofit offshoot that arranges
artwork to be displayed at libraries and bookstores.
Most of Glen's works are in the 4-acre portion of Weston Gardens'
demonstration gardens.
Sue Weston, who owns Weston Gardens along with her husband, Randy,
said the gardens enhance the artwork. "It shows off the sculptures
really well," she said. "It's a beautiful setting."
Sculptureworks will change the exhibit every three months, with
a long-range plan to have programs for adults and children. Glen's
exhibit follows a show earlier this year from 18 other artists.
Sculptureworks President David Wiegand said people often asked him
if his organization had a location, and he had to tell them it didn't.
He works out of his house.
So, he said, the organization "decided to park itself."
Glen seemed a natural to help launch the venture. Glen's work includes
The Mustangs at Las Colinas, a life-size display at the Las Colinas
commercial development of Irving. He will also have an exhibition
at the Houston Zoo beginning April 27.
Glen, 65, was born in Nairobi and raised in East Africa, and has
been sculpting animals since he was 9. He took on an apprenticeship
in Denver with Coloman Jonas, a noted animal sculptor and taxidermist,
when he was 16. Glen's pieces range in price from $4,500 to $236,000.
Wiegand said some people may be offended when they see Glen's work,
which includes a lion chasing an antelope or a lion lying next to
a kill. Wiegand compares Glen to painter and sculptor Charles M.
Russell, who depicted the history of the American West.
"I see Robert doing the same thing," Wiegand said. "He
sketches and sculpts the animals. He's literally making a documentation
of what this looks like now."
ONLINE: www.gobronze.com
www.westongardens.com
www.robertglen.com
IN THE KNOW
Sculptureworks Garden Gallery
Weston Gardens, 8101 Anglin Drive, Fort Worth
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday
noon to 5 p.m. Sunday
Jessica DeLeón, (817) 685-3932 jdeleon@star-telegram.com
(Article and photos as shown at www.dfw.com
on March 29, 2006. Published on March 29, 2006, Page B1, Fort Worth
Star-Telegram, TX.)
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