Mark Yale Harris
Artwork International
This August, Magazine 43 proudly brings you American sculptor, Mark Yale Harris of Artwork International.
Mark Yale Harris realized his true passion in the Southwest. Santa Fe became his home in the late 1990s and synchronously stone carving became his life’s work. He dedicated himself to creating in 1996 and, with much to learn, the artist chose a mentor whom he had long admired, sculptor Bill Prokopiof (Aleut, 1944-1999), to assist with honing his burgeoning artistic skills. In the spirit of the nation’s most recognized Native American artist Allan Houser (Chiricahua Apache, 1915-1994), Prokopiof and sculptor Doug Hyde (Nez Perce) took Harris under their wings and generously shared their immense knowledge, talent, and vision. Inspired by the geographical region and grounded in the wisdom of his teachers, he began zealously creating sculpture.
Transitioning into the life of a full-time artist required Harris’s dedication to enveloping himself in all aspects of his new profession. Prior to this shift, Harris spent many years in the area of sustainable urban development (specifically real estate and hotels), a conventional career in which he was quite successful, but not fully satisfied. The adjustment to a wholly fulfilling vocation was both challenging and exciting. The artistic passion that had existed just beneath the surface of Harris’s long-established business persona was finally able to present itself in tangible form.
He accessed the invaluable tutelage of his mentors, along with his own vision, to create an evolving body of work in alabaster, marble, limestone, and bronze, often combining different elements to express his take on the inherent duality in mans’ essence. Over the past fifteen years, Harris has continued to challenge himself as a sculptor, finding it important to continue learning and teaching. Several intensive workshops, including studies with Terry Allen, Jo Harvey and James Surls, expanded his understanding immensely.
Harris also reciprocates. He recently presented a lecture How to Create 3-Dimensional Work in Clay at the Indian Ridge Country Club in Palm Desert, California.
Harris’s charitable endeavors have been numerous; he cites his work with Fine Art for Children and Teens (FACT) in Santa Fe, New Mexico as especially gratifying.
Of the 250+ exhibitions outlined on his resume, Harris has the distinction of 90+ solo shows in gallery, museum and international exhibitions. Exhibition highlights include Albuquerque Museum, Albuquerque, New Mexico; Ventana Fine Art, Santa Fe, New Mexico; Booth Western Art Museum, Cartersville, Georgia; Marin MOCA (Museum of Contemporary Art), Novato, California; High Desert Museum, Bend, Oregon; Fredric Remington Art Museum, Ogdensburg, New York; National Sculpture Society, New York, New York; Thornwood Gallery, Houston, Texas; Cutter and Cutter Fine Art, St. Augustine, Florida; Chloe Gallery, San Francisco, California; SculptFest, Round Rock, Texas; Royal Academy of Arts, London, England; National Museum of Wildlife Art, Jackson Hole, Wyoming; Yellowstone Art Museum, Billings, Montana; The Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh, Scotland; Millicent Rodgers Museum, Taos, New Mexico; Museum of the Southwest, Midland, Texas; Palm Springs Art Museum, Palm Springs, California; Austin Museum of Art, Austin, Texas; Open Air Museum, Ube, Japan; Ohr-O'Keefe Museum of Art, Biloxi, Mississippi; Polk Museum of Art, Lakeland, Florida; and The Village Green Sculpture Park, Cashiers, North Carolina.
110+ publications have featured his sculpture (books, magazines, newspapers) in the past 10 years, including American Art Collector, Fine Art Connoisseur, Sculpture News, Southwest Art Contempo Annual, LandEscape Contemporary Art Review (London), Magazine 43 (Berlin, Hong Kong and Manila), Peripheral ARTeries, USA Today, Santa Fean, and Art Daily News, as well as literary and academic publications. In addition, ARTWORKinternational Inc. Press published Mark Yale Harris: Figurative Abstractions (2010), Mark Yale Harris: Untamed (2011) and Mark Yale Harris, A Retrospective (2006, updated/reissued in 2013). He has been interviewed on the radio program Art World Innovators and his work had been featured on the Holland Cruise Lines.
Harris’s sculpture is represented by twenty prominent galleries in the US and UK. Current works can be found in many permanent public collections, including: Hilton Hotels; Rock Resorts; Booth Western Art Museum, Cartersville, Georgia; La Posada Hotel, Santa Fe, New Mexico; Herman Memorial Hospital, Houston, Texas; State of New Mexico, Ruidoso, New Mexico; Four Seasons Hotel, Chicago, Illinois; and City of Roanoke Historic District, Roanoke, Virginia.
How is it like creating big pieces of work?
I believe that every artist desires to create large artwork. Personally, I am passionate about creating larger-than-life sculpture.
Large works create a statement: they are more noticeable and draw out the viewer's attention and emotional response. The emotional response is primary for me.
Are there some personal elements in your work (for example, in your works “Awakening”, “Chaos”, etc.)?
There are personal elements in all of my work, be it from observation of others or my translation of humorous, human behaviors that are depicted in my animal forms.
Regarding the meaning for me in Chaos - The chaotic nature of love is embodied in this sculpture. In relationships, personal borders can become permeable and individuality can get diminished. Chaos represents the time in a love relationship during which it is difficult to distinguish one being from another, the enmeshment that can happen in relationships that cross emotional and physical boundaries. Bereft of these boundaries, a couple is defined more by the relationship than by their individuality.
My thoughts on Awakening - Awakening III is one in a series of Awakening pieces that I have created. It symbolizes an internal stirring, paying attention to one's self. I think there is great power in knowing yourself, your body, your needs and your desires. The piece captures simultaneously that moment between dreams and reality, that luxurious warmth of slipping out of drowsiness into the sparkle of a new dawn, with all its attendant promise and excitement.
What is your thought process as you translate 2D to 3D?
I learned from my Native American mentors to look at a raw stone until you see an image within and then bring that image out - and Michelangelo said something similar - but there are a couple more steps than that...
Should a natural stone inspire me, I will generally make a rough sketch on paper or in clay before proceeding to carve. When addressing a cut cube or block of stone, I will make a more detailed drawing or an actual clay maquette. With stone carving, you can only subtract, you cannot add. It is an unforgiving medium in that way. Hence, foresight is necessary.
My bronze sculptures are created using the lost wax process, which begins with making a mold on the original stone sculpture.
On a personal opinion, why does art matter?
This subject has been discussed, written about, debated for centuries. I can't add to the discussion other than to say it does. How would we exist without it? Art is a very broad term; our lives are permeated with art. Can you imagine living without art, music, theatre, film, dance, performance, design, architecture, literature and general creativity? The list goes on. It would be a sterile existence.
Art sends a message about whatever the art depicts, or the artist intends. It projects emotions, speaks to philosophy, opinions and the best of human nature in us all. It unites the globe - a common language without words.
The artist is currently featured in the National Sculpture Society’s 88th Annual exhibition at Brookgreen Gardens in Pawleys Island, SC wherein the juried show will feature the figurative works of 55 contemporary sculptors and will be on view through August 22—in here, Mr. Harris features his new work, “One Trick Pony”.
In addition, Mr. Harris’ works will also be featured in the last ever Apero Catalogue and will also appear in the Autumn issue of Chestnut Review, and another feature in Aji Magazine.
For more information about the artist, please view or contact:
Samantha Paige Furgason
sam@artworkinternational.com
Audrey Oglesby
audrey@artworkinternational.com
Mark Yale Harris
myharris@artworkinternational.com
***images and information courtesy of the artist and Artwork International***