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Irene Ritter's
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Sculpture - Stone
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Price Range: $2,000 - $10,000
Bio
Irene Ritter retired from the magazine publishing industry in 1987 after 20 years and was appointed to the position of deputy mayor of Nashville. She was responsible for the quality of life side of the city government, including the Arts Commission, Parks & Recreation Department, Historical Commission, tourism, Summer Lights, and relations with the music industry. She retired from government service in 1989 and began traveling.
In 1995, she began to sculpt. Professionally led workshops at Arrowmont led Irene Ritter to sculptor Bob Lochart with whom she studied under extensively. Following her study program, she became dedicated to art in the genre of direct stone carving.
From August to October in 2004, she had her first showing of her sculpture at the Tennessee Arts Commission Gallery. Her work set a sales record for the gallery. One piece, “Dumber than a Box of Rocks,� was purchased by the Tennessee Arts Commission for permanent collection.
Style
Her early works focused on abstract forms representing various ideas.
Her later works feature figures, organic shapes that depict the characters’ emotions in solid form. Her sculptures convey the juxtaposition of serious art using whimsical titles for the pieces.
Artist Statement
I sculpt because I enjoy the physicality of carving stone. I have an eye, a feel, an intuition for the reduction process. As I work, the specific form reveals itself to me from the work piece.
A touch of humor is not often encountered in the art world of today. My work is visual, cerebral, and, often, humorous.
Perhaps, my criterion is as simple as “does it please me.�
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