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Artist information:
Ken Thompson
Blissfield, Michigan
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Ken Thompson is showing at:
The B.O.B. The B.O.B.
20 Monroe Ave Nw
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
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Ken Thompson
Artist bio: Ken holds a MLS from the U of Toledo and a BFA from Siena Heights Coll. Ken has been making sculpture for over 30 yrs out of his car dealership turned studio. He & his 7 assistants also operate Flatlanders Sculpture Supply & the Midwest Sculpture Initiative. He is well versed in bronze casting and metal fabrication, but prefers stone carving. The major focus of his work for the last 20 yrs has been on lrg scale public sculpture with commissions for BC/BS-Detroit, War Memorials in Toledo, Ferris State Univ, Ohio Wesleyan Univ, Children’s Park in Toledo, Canton MI, Sylvania OH, Georgetown Univ, Corpus Christi Univ Parish in Toledo, LCVA Millennium Project, Siena Heights Univ & Dominican Motherhouse, memorial to the Irish Potato Famine, Fla Atlantic Univ. Work is currently in progress for the U of Toledo Alumni Plaza. In addition to making lrg scale sculpture, he enjoys doing small scale work for gallery exhibits. Ken has 18 solo shows, many group exhibits & awards to his credit.
Artist statement: I have long felt that profound art contained a high level of spiritual content, not necessarily that of religion, but that of the ‘spirit of a man,’ a spirit defined by his truth and honor. My sculpture is based on this form of spirituality.

Beyond content, my sculpture concentrates on the fundamental issue of form and how negative space defines it as well as the techniques employed to create it.
About the work:
Title: Thin Series: Off the Diet

Art form: 3-D

Medium: Carved granite

Year created: 2004

Description of work: Carved from Swedish black granite, this piece is a conituation of my Thin Series, but made for the outdoors. It stands 6'6 tall and weighs 1000 pounds.

Work statement: I have long felt that profound art contained a high level of spiritual content, not necessarily that of religion, but that of the ‘spirit of a man,’ a spirit defined by his truth and honor. My sculpture is based on this form of spirituality.

Beyond content, my sculpture concentrates on the fundamental issue of form and how negative space defines it as well as the techniques employed to create it.
Technical details:
Work width: 40 inches
Work height: 80 inches
Work depth: 14 inches
Required venue ceiling: n/a
Required venue door height: n/a
Required venue door width: n/a
Required wall linear footage: n/a
Required venue square footage: 3 sq. ft.
Additional considerations:
Audio/video needed: No
Electrical needed: No
Lighting needed: No
Internet access needed: No
Ground floor access needed: Yes
Indoor space needed: No
Outdoor space needed: Yes
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