Pat Sparkuhl Conjures Up Art Works to Address a Broad Range of Human Behavior
Pat Sparkuhl creates assemblage art works that address the darker side of human nature. He constructs installations focusing on personal concerns and social issues - that convey his observations on life and on people's behavior.
He calls to mind the spirit of assemblage artist, Edward Kienholz - admiring Ed's ability to express social concerns, using everyday materials. Pat explains that when you feel passionate about issues and ideas, then express those feelings in art objects and settings, "that is true freedom."
Dancin' to the Music
Describing one of his newer pieces, "Dancin' to the Music," Pat Sparkuhl says: "You immediately feel the atmosphere; the rhythm of the music, the warm, humid mist in the air, the dim lights, muffled voices, an occasional 'hoot' to exclaim delight, and the visuals.
"Men surround the stage looking eager yet restrained. Silhouetted figures in the background mill around, and then gracefully, out she comes onto the stage in her brief, but colorful outfit, acrylic high-heeled shoes, and clearly in control of the salivating men all along the perimeter of the stage. She sheds her outfit, but not her shoes, she prances, struts, exhibits her physical attributes and abilities, and as the performance winds down, the stage is showered with dollar bills generously provided by the now enthusiastic and stimulated admirers."
Pat Sparkuhl also addresses themes of war, health, politics, religion and money in his works. "I strive to encompasses the broad range of human behavior. I explore our one on one interactions, how and what we communicate to each other, the sincerity of that communication, and the purposefulness of the subjects."
Issues Surrounding AIDS
His piece, "Faids" (combining the words "AIDS" and "fades") is about issues that surround AIDS. "The overall format begins with a Gothic Arch shaped stained glass window. At the top is the symbolic 'mother' overseeing the issue. On either side are fragmented coins and illustrations of the many victims who have been infected. The cast figures looking into the windows are scientists desperately looking for an answer. The bottom area is a shrine depicting women as victims, religious beliefs, and symbolic items that relate to the problem. The framed shoe soles are the 'lost souls,' representing the many wonderful human beings who are gone. The crutches focus attention on this dreaded disease as being a major health issue. The plastic bird at the top represents release, freedom, and resolve."
Pat Sparkuhl uses an endless variety of objects and mixed media in his works. He weaves this stuff together like a sorcerer - creating finished works that are simultaneously haunting and beautiful. They convey profound stories that reach deep into our psyches that address our deepest yearnings, frustrations, anxieties and addictions. When creating pieces about addictions, he refers not only to cigarettes, but also to religious beliefs and excessive consuming. And there are occasional flashes of humor as in "Chatter Box."
Chatter Box
"Chatter Box": "Chatter, chatter, chatter," he says "seems like a typical conversation. We spend so much time on celebrities and their exploits, advertising campaigns about 'things' we don't need to know about and activities that are too expensive, or what is most common, people chattering about other people. How often do we talk about ideas or issues that are meaningful? Focus your attention on the mouths of people while they're talking, and it becomes apparent that human beings love to chatter, chatter, chatter."
The stuff Pat Sparkuhl uses in his assemblage sculpture includes: antlers, art cases, ashes, barbed wire, books, candles, cast dental models, cast feet, cast torsos, ceramic figures, cigarette butts, copper wire, cowboy boots, crutches, dolls, guitars, human hair, molded teeth, oak boxes, Plexiglas cases, photographs, religious icons, rosary beads, shoes, shoe soles, swords, violins and wishbones.
No Child Left Behind
"No Child Left Behind" is about drug trafficking along the border of Mexico and the United States. "There is extreme pain and suffering experienced by many innocent victims, either directly or indirectly associated with the drug trade," he says. "This impacts not only international relations. But the more long lasting influence is the perception that younger people have of what it means to be a success."
Why does Pat Sparkuhl work in assemblage art? "I've always made things. In grammar school, I made these detailed model cars, and after I finished assembling and painting them, I put them into a scenario, like a car accident. Later, I began modifying the structure of the cars. Because they were made of plastic, I heated them up and manipulated them, or used a knife heated on the stove to cut out areas or chopped the tops."
In spite of the intensity of Pat's work, he lives a conventional life with a loving wife, having raised two successful grown children. He lives on a bucolic, tree-lined street in Laguna Beach, California and teaches art in a community college. For recreation, he swims and surfs. And yes, he's very fit. Pat is one of the gentlest and most generous people I know.
Pat Sparkuhl can be reached at: www.patsparkuhl.com
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