Kristine Taylor
110th Anniversary Artist Statement
"Bronze sculpting is an ancient art form. The basic technique
of casting molten bronze into tools, weaponry, and art dates back to 4000
BC. Through the centuries, the process has been refined with the advances
in technology, yet the beauty and longevity of the material remain the same.
I like to think of my sculptures as my contribution to this
artistic legacy. It is my hope that beyond appealing to the eye, my
sculpture sparks curiosity in the viewer, and that they realize that a single
bronze sculpture is actually a captured moment in time of an incredible journey
that started long ago.
I chose to sculpt an elephant in a sitting pose because it
is captivating. It is unusual for elephants to sit, but it is a position they
assume as they lay down or stand back up. I want the viewer to consider
the plight of elephants: is the species going down to extinction or is it rising
back up?" - Kristine Taylor
Kristine Taylor’s sculptures are the perfect blend of her love of tools and the creative process. As a child she was passionate about art. Her father, an engineer, taught her to use the many tools in his wood shop and foundry which helped her later during the creation of her own sculpture. Her knowledge of animals is evident in her work, not only in the proportions of the subject, but also in the personality revealed in each piece. Her work requires collaboration between herself and the skilled artisans of her casting foundry. The multi-step, labor intensive process requires skill, technology, and industrial equipment. Taylor’s work is cast in a world class foundry in Northern California.
Kristine graduated from Stanford University in 1973 with a B.A. degree in fine art. She spent several years doing machine work for a scale model/prototyping company. She lives and works in the bay area and has exhibited throughout the United States.