Biography
David Unger
Contemporary Sculptor
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Article from: “ART BOOK of the New West
Spring/Summer 2004
Artist’s Profile by Kathryn Frost
“I never fail to see something new in the human form,” said Sculptor David Unger when asked about his ideas for his work..
Watching Unger at work in his studio, one can see that his sculptures reflect an endless array of fluid body movements. Unger’s work, writes art critic Dorothy Shinn, “is reminiscent of the works of the English modernist Henry Moore – only with planes and angles instead of Moore’s smooth, rounded forms derived from Mexico’s pre-Columbian sculptures. “It is also apparent that Unger’s favorite sculptor, Rodin – whose simplified planes reflect and disperse light – was significant influence on the development of Unger’s distinctive artistic expression.
Student of World-Renowned Sculptors
Having benefited from studying with world-renowned sculptors Chaim Gross and Peter Lipman-Wolfe, Unger began his artistic journey more than 50 Years ago.
Unger’s figures are a unique combination of angles, geometric planes and rounded forms. His natural eye and rare ability for developing form, dimension and proportion have resulted in his characteristic technique. “I know pretty much what I want to achieve when I start my armatures,” Unger said. “But it changes when I start to build the figure in the clay. Working with my fingers and hands in clay is an exhilarating experience that never ceases to excite me as I create form and figure. “I love the feel of the clay in my hands. I’ve made many pieces in wood, using chisel and mallet, but clay is more rewarding to me.”
Circle of Arms
Circles appear as a recurring theme in many of Unger’s works. He explains, “I often form circles in the arms of my sculptures to symbolize male and female harmony and oneness.” In his sculpture, The Storyteller, a piece with one figure, Unger shows a man telling the story of his experiences of life. The Circle of his arms, in this piece, represents how The Storyteller encompasses his listeners, drawing them inward.
Conveying the meaning of his life-size sculpture, Morning sun, Unger observes, “The woman is stretching, awakening to the warmth of the early morning sun, ready to begin another day.”
Unger’s faces are intentionally plain. “My faces,” he explains, “are designed to have no detail so that anyone can see himself in any of my pieces.”
Tactile Experience
Sculpture is an art form, Unger feels, which should provide tactile enjoyment. “It is as important to feel the angles and planes with ones hands,“ he believes, “as it is to observe them.”
Working on five to six pieces at a time, Unger knows instinctively when a sculpture is finished. “There’s a point when I need to stop and walk away. After this moment, the more you play with the piece, the more you are likely to lose the sculpture’s strength and vibrancy. “I’ll move on, after this moment, to another piece, at the end of the session, I am emotional and physically exhausted. But I am having the greatest time of my life.”
After Unger is satisfied with the sculpture in clay, it is cast in bronze, a process that uses the lost wax method of ancient times. His bronzes are finally finished with a verdi patina, which reflects what would happen to bronze if it aged naturally.
Each piece is part of a limited edition, never exceeding 12, and is presented to his patrons with certificates of authenticity.
While Unger’s passion for sculpting began when he was a youngster, he put his talents aside to pursue a career as an industrial manufacturer for 3 years. But being a successful business person was not enough. While on vacation is
Iron Horse Gallery is proud to represent David Unger’s bronze sculptures.
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