Canadian Sculptor Wesley Rickert 

Completed during the summer of 2003, this is a body of sculpture inspired by the building blocks of African art. Specifically, the work has a disregard for “natural form” and are highly stylized invented representations of the human body. The sculptures are also intended to function beyond a traditional western approach and become a symbology for ritualistic or magical purposes, allowing the viewer to channel their thoughts and manifest the change represented by each piece.

The titles of the galvanized welded metal pieces are as follows; The Kill Joy, The Influence Peddler, The Money Maker, The Opportunity, Settled Differences, The Remedy, The Shape Shifter, The Re-trenching, The Dream,

The Way, The Compromise and the Tour Guide. The sculptures are presented on a cast concrete pedestal and

average 78” in height.

Artist Statement:

“These sculptures are concerned with change and it’s place in our society. To do so I considered the identification of change, the value of change, the effect of change and the purpose of change. Initially I divided change up into two groups; positive and negative change. Before too long I realized that this approach was too simplistic. Change occurs and is not inherently good or bad. It simply is.

I began a quest for ideas of change that are common in our culture and for changes largely considered to be positive. This “common currency” is important as it places the artist and “others” on the same vantage point.

It is not possible to focus on change as a concept without undergoing some change on a personal level. I found myself approaching my work in ways that I hadn’t before... largely in regards to the organization of shapes in space. I also became aware of the talismanic effect that sculpture focussing on change possesses. This gives the sculptures a function beyond simple ornamentation.”

A 20 minute video of the artist creating this body of work is available.

Artist Biograpy

Wesley Rickert was born in Canada.

A two year move to Europe as a child for his fathers research in bio-chemistry, combined with his mother’s interest

in painting had him introduced to the masters of European Art at an early age. Art classes were a highlight of his public school education. He finished high school and enrolled himself in an illustration program. Rickert left after 18 months saying he “could not follow a narrow curriculum” and loathing the idea of “producing art as an exercise”. For the next ten years he focused on learning independently from Great Art. Works from Athens to Asia, 2400 BC to present day, Cycladean to Contemporary Masters and the applied arts from Armour to Glass.
Rickert worked at a variety of odd jobs while developing his painting and sculpture. Not knowing how to take his desire for creating art into a viable economic activity he started a successful advertising agency that grew to a staff of 20. As the creative director for high tech & manufacturing verticals he learned that the only reason one is in business is to perpetuate it’s existence.
This horrified Rickert knowing that “if you are doing one thing you certainly are not doing another”. The business was closed. To this day the panic of losing any more time to anything but the creation of art permeates his working & living philosophy. Wes is concerned about his mortality and has chosen to work faster to “get more done”.
His interest in metal working is rooted in two early life experiences, watching a large building being constructed of I beams while sick at home with the chicken pox and a favourite tricycle magically repaired by brazing. As an adult he began working thin sheet metal with hammers, rivets and ultimately stick welding after completing an evening course for Millwrights. Rickert has also produced silkscreens, woodcuts, lino cuts and multi-media assemblage.

He lives with his second wife and works on a riverside property in a self-built studio.

CURRICULUM VITAE

Contemporary Sculptor And Painter
Canadian, Born 1962 
Studio Address:
5070 Fountain Street, North, RR#2 Breslau, Ontario, Canada NOB 1MO
Website: www.wesleyrickert.com

Professional Affiliations
Sculptors Society Of Canada
Canadian Artist Representation Of Canada

Selected Galleries
Ezair Gallery, 905 Madison Ave, New York, NY

Canadian Sculpture Center, 64 Merton Street, Toronto, ON

Eldon Gallery, 14 King Street, North, Waterloo ON

Barber Gallery, 167 Suffolk Street, West, Guelph, ON

Lonsdale Gallery, 410 Spadina Road, Toronto, O

Wesley Rickert

“ Metamorphoses  -The Personality Of Change”

at the Ezair Gallery:
June 1-June 30, 2004

with the RECEPTION on:
June 3 , 2004
Thursday
6 PM - 8 PM