The
ancient circle of stones at Stonehenge, seated
Egyptian monarchs, stone Buddhas from India and China:
these masterpieces of antiquity are only a few of the
magnificent stoneworks that have come down to us from
the hand of humanity over the centuries.
In
our high tech world, the age-old technique of direct
carving in stone continues today. CARL BERNEY melds
the beauty of stone-the "bones of the earth"-with a
spiritual aesthetic.
"I
love stone," says the artist, "the shape and feel of
it. It is so durable. It's a demanding medium, both
physically and mentally, but it's exhilarating when
you enter the stone and let it guide you to the final
form."
CARL
BERNEY works in marble as well as limestone and
alabaster. He learned to carve marble in Pietrasanta,
Italy, with its ancient quarries that were opened by
Michelangelo. In Italy he worked side by side with the
artesani, acquiring time-honed
knowledge.
"The
process is the same as it's been for 30,000 years,"
says the artist. "We have better tools now, but I feel
a real tie to the sculptors of
antiquity."
CARL
BERNEY is drawn to the spiritual traditions of
different cultures, believing they all relate to the
same universal source. The feminine principle is a
guiding influence. He has created goddess figures, a
nine-ft.-tall female oracle, as well as abstract
torsos. His recent work includes feline forms
including a cheetah and domestic cats.
"Cats
are so fluid," says the artist. "They are natural
subjects for sculpture."
A
monk with flowing robes, Buddha, and Kokopelli-the
mythological flute player of the Southwest-combine the
spiritual and the stone in the manner of the
ancients.
CARL
BERNEY has exhibited his work in California and New
Mexico and has won prizes in juried competition.
STANDING STONES STUDIO is in rural Nambe near Santa
Fe, New Mexico.
In addition to carving his own sculptures, Carl is active in advancing the state
of sculpture in New Mexico. As Chair of the New Mexico Sculptors Guild (NMSG),
he conducts quarterly meetings that are open to members working with three-dimensional
media. The NMSG also mounts exibitions of members' works each year.
As Managing Director of the Southwest Stone Carving Association,
Carl conducts an annual week-long stone carving workshop in
New Mexico's Jemez Mountains that focuses on instruction for beginners
and intermediate carvers, and promotes camaraderie and dialogue among
stone carvers world-wide.
Telephone:
(505) 455-3898 or E-mail: Sculpto707@aol.com
to request photographs of additional
work.
Many
of CARL BERNEY's stone sculptures are available as
bronze castings.
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