Charles McBride White • Bio
Nature is my stimulus: the sky, wind, sun, water, plants, trees, birds, animals, and people. I work to imply a feeling of movement and emotion. I do not try to recreate nature in detail; to me that is more craft than art. I deal with ideas, not decoration.
I try to communicate ideas through three dimensional objects. I work hard at making my sculptures appealing to all people, be it the art critic or the average person on the street. I feel art is for all people, not just those who can afford it. I want my sculpture to stimulate people and to have an inner spirit and a soul. I want to cause people to think and be creative in their thinking.
I work in all media, but my main passion is for metal, welded or cast. The artists who have influenced me are mainly metal sculptors: David Smith, Alexander Calder, Richard Hunt, Theodore Roszak, and Isamu Noguchi. Although these artists have been a stimulus, I have no intention of copying their styles or anyone else’s style. I try to create from my own point of origin. Creative style is each artist’s own signature.
I try to communicate my own ideas in my own way, and I hope people will enjoy viewing my sculptures as much as I enjoy making them.
Education:
1972-73 Drake University Adjunct; Florence, Italy
1974 B.F.A. in Sculpture, Drake University; Des Moines, Iowa
1975 Graduate School, Drake University; Des Moines, Iowa
1977-79 Graduate School, Corpus Christi State University; Corpus Christi, Texas
Selected Exhibitions:
2004 “An Evening with the Artist: Charles McBride White”, Envision Gallery - Taos, New Mexico
1999 “The Artistry of Water”, Grovewood Gallery - Asheville, North Carolina
1992 “Essential Elements: Earth, Sky, Wood, Water”, Spicewood Gallery - Austin, Texas
1989 “A New Voice: Abstract and Other Views”, Rockport Art Center - Rockport, Texas
1988 “Fleeting Moments” with Karen Smittle, Galeria Chaparral - Corpus Christi, Texas
1987 Group Exhibition, Image Gallery - Austin, Texas
1987 Group Exhibition, Aransas Bay Gallery - Rockport, Texas
1986 “White on White”, Artisans Gallery - Corpus Christi, Texas
1986 “Birds of a Feather;” Artisans Gallery - Corpus Christi, Texas
1985 “Different Directions” with Jim Alexander, Rockport Art Center - Rockport, Texas
1985 Group Exhibition, Artisans Gallery - Corpus Christi, Texas
1984 “Summer Show”, Charlton Gallery - San Antonio, Texas
1982 Group Exhibition, Market Street Gallery - Corpus Christi, Texas
1979 “Charles McBride White-Recent Works”, Bayfront Auditorium - Corpus Christi, Texas
1979 “Southwest Sculpture Society Members Show”, Corpus Christi, Texas
1978 “Southwest Sculpture Society Members Show”, Corpus Christi, Texas
1978 “Tri-Group Show”, Del Mar Junior College - Corpus Christi, Texas
1977 “Southwest Sculpture Society Members Show”, Corpus Christi, Texas
1975 “Flatland Sculpture Show”, Des Moines, Iowa
1974 “Flatland Sculpture Show”, Witchita Art Museum; Witchita, Kansas
Awards:
1987 Winner-Design Competition for Business and the Arts Award
Corpus Christi Arts Council; Corpus Christi, Texas
1978 First and Second Place Awards in Abstract Category
“Southwest Sculpture Society Members Show;” Corpus Christi, Texas
1977 First Place Award; “Southwest Sculpture Society Members Show;”
Corpus Christi, Texas
Public Commissions:
2001 “Calligraphic with Birds” (Five Sculptures)
Beijing Kerry Centre Hotel - Beijing, China
2001 “Living Water” Fountain
Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church - Asheville, North Carolina
1999 “Inner Geometric” Fountain
Beijing Kerry Centre Hotel - Beijing, China
1998 “Frolicking Cranes” Fountain
Drury Inn: Creve Couer - St. Louis, Missouri
1997 “Kinetic Irises” Sculpture
Duquesne University of the Holy Ghost - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
1997 “Eternal Flame” Fountain
Immaculate Conception Church - Taft, Texas
1994 “Inner Geometric” Fountains
Bon Marché Department Stores - Puyallup and Olympia, Washington
1993 “Large Calligraphic” Fountain
Evergreen-Washelli Funeral Homes - Seattle, Washington
1990 “Morning Serenity” Fountain
Bee County College - Beeville, Texas
1988 “Bronze Trees” Fountains
Brookhollow Office Complex - Corpus Christi, Texas
1987 “Bamboo with Birds” Fountain
Staples Street Medical Complex - Corpus Christi, Texas
1986 “Aquarium Copper Lights”
Ship Ahoy Restaurant - Corpus Christi, Texas
1985 “Helix Fountain”
Offices of Dr. Robert C. Cody, D.D.S. - Corpus Christi, Texas
1984 “Blooming Cranes” Fountain
Water Street Plaza - Corpus Christi, Texas
1984 “Stacked Fountain”
Memorial Funeral Home - Corpus Christi, Texas
1981 “Derrick” Fountain
Petroleum Building - Eastland, Texas
Collecctions:
Feintool - Lyss Switzerland
Jon Secada - Miami, Florida
Roger Judd - Grand Cayman Island
Cable News Network - Moscow, Russia
Marian Brown - Calgary, Alberta; Canada
Frank Rainer Krupicka - Wolfstein, Germany
Don Mills - Ontario, Canada
Frank Verstraeten - Meise, Belgium
Lau Sing Khoon - Singapore
Charles McBride White
Bibliography:
“Local Sculptor Has Work Installed In St. Louis.” The Licking News, 1 October 1998, sec.A, p.1.
Norton,Liz. “Fountains.” Corpus Christi Caller-Times, 27 August 1995, adv. splmt., p.14-15.
Pontello, Jacqueline M., with intro by Susan H. McGarry.“FabulousFountains.”
Southwest Art. Aug. 1992, pp.87-97.
“Fountain of Knowledge.” Beeville Bee-Picayune, 5 September 1990, sec. A, p. 1.
Schmidt, Maurice. “Fleeting Moments.” Corpus Christi Caller-Times, 21 February
1988, sec. H, p. 5.
“Business/arts winners will be given statuettes,” Corpus Christi Caller-Times, 12 April 1987.
“Aransas Bay Gallery artists go ‘country’.” The Rockport Pilot, 26 April 1986.
“Joining in dedication spirit.” Corpus Christi Times, 11 March 1986.
“Artists meet the public.” The Rockport Pilot. 20 March 1985.
“Paintings, portraits and sculpture displayed at art center.” The Rockport Pilot, 16 March 1985.
“Bronze birds roll.” Corpus Christi Times. 1 June 1984.
Goddard, Danny. “Art and artists thrive Downtown.” Corpus Christi Times, 25 August 1983.
Goddard, Danny. “He designs to be an artist.” Corpus Christi Times, 2 December 1981.
Schmidt, Maurice. “Art shows are blooming as spring comes.” Corpus Christi Caller, April 1978
“Graduate Sculptor Finds Home at CCSU.” University News, 26 September 1977.