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Bruce A. Niemi I am a second-generation sculptor, studying under my father, Frank J. Niemi (an ornamental iron artist and self-taught sculptor). I learned how to weld at my father's studio in 1968, from the age of 12 until I was 18; my father was a major influence on my style and the craftsmanship that goes into a Niemi sculpture, as well as being taught to look at the world differently than most. I entered Northern Illinois University in 1974 and graduated in 1981 with a BFA in Sculpture. I have been welding and creating sculptures for 53 years, full-time for 35 years.
To date I have 55 permanent public sculptures across the United States and Europe. |
Resumé
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Artist Statement |
My sculptures are derived from my deep-rooted faith, my love for God who gave me this gift of creativity and the beauty and wonder of the heavens and earth He created.
As we experience the heavens and earth that we occupy, do we really see it in all of its glory? At times the simplest sunset moves us beyond words and into a deeper spiritual side that we wonder where it was hidden and why we never noticed it before. In creating my work, I begin with a concept in my head, I do not sketch my ideas in advance as the thoughts for each piece come from my heart, and my experiences in life as well as all that is in the universe. Next I prepare the metal by cutting out multiple shapes, polishing, then curving them into desired forms. I then manipulate the shapes intertwining them until they become a new sculpture. My work evolves as I create it, at times when I am creating, the piece starts speaking to me in a different way than I had originally planned and I end up changing it in the process and arrive with a totally different finished sculpture. Stainless steel and silicon bronze are my primary materials of choice and I do all of my own fabrication and love the process from start to finish. Craftsmanship, structural strength, and public safety are also important elements to my finished work. The fluidity of such a hard surface is signature in my creations and as you, the viewer experience each piece, I hope you will discover the heavens, the earth, the winds, and a deeper spiritual, thought provoking, peaceful, timelessness that I wish to express as I create my works of art. So let your imagination soar….. Sculptor Bruce A. Niemi |
A BIG THANK YOU to Sierra Cole for designing this beautiful website!
We are forever grateful!
We are forever grateful!
