Artist - Emile Birch

EMILE BIRCH

Mysculptural interests have traversed a broad landscape over the many years that I have created sculpture. Throughout this time I have developed a fondness for the figurative as well as the abstract and have sought to develop ways of using both in my work. Most of the large pieces that I have created have utilized a somewhat abstract architectural vocabulary as a context for the figurative elements of the piece. This concept is not mine, but I do believe it is a sound one, that has endured the ages. Over the years I have also used this concept in many different configurations for collaborative pieces that were made with hundreds of people in communities around New England.
Most recently in my studio I have focused on creating pieces that are kinetic. On occasion I have worked with students to create kinetic sculptures in schools. The discoveries, both artistic and mechanical, that are made throughout this process of collaboration have been amazing to witness and a joy to experience.

Through most of my career I have worked in the public sphere creating commissioned public sculptures for communities. I have also collaborated with communities to create their own permanent sculpture. The direction of my work is changing a bit. In addition to creating permanent installations I’m interested in creating temporary kinetic installation pieces that would be sited in hospitals, galleries, museums, corporations and other public venues. These pieces will be installed for a month or two and then moved to a different location. I have had a great deal of experience creating temporary installations in unusual architectural spaces. As the art director for First Night New Hampshire, over a fifteen years period, I enjoyed the challenge of designing and building performance and exhibition installations for every conceivable kind of space. I plan to take that experience one step further and model the movement of my sculptures to the architecture of the space and create a performance of memorable, but limited duration.

EDUCATION

1964-68 Central High School, Providence R.I.
1969-71 The Art Students League New York, N.Y.
1969-70 Ames and Graves Architectural Firm, Boston M.A. (architectural assistant)
1973-74 The Brooklyn Museum Art School Brooklyn, N.Y.
1973-74 Whitney Museum of American Art New York, N.Y.

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS

New England College, Henniker, NH
Chapel Art Center, Saint Anselm College, Manchester, NH
Taylor Gallery, Kimball Union Academy, Meriden, NH
Convergence III and IV, Providence RI
The Kennedy Center, Washington DC