“La Paire d’Amour” by Darrell Davis
Darrell’s journey in sculpture began after a visit to Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet, SC as a teenager where he was fascinated by the world of sculpture. It’s amazing that fate stepped in and his high school teacher was approached by a local foundry with the idea of casting her students wax sculptures in bronze. Imagine how thrilling that would be as a young student doing something you’re passionate about? When Darrell’s sculpture emerged from the shell, he knew then that he wanted to be a sculptor! After receiving a BFA from The University of Texas at Arlington he enrolled in the Graduate School of Architecture’s landscape architecture program. Darrell’s sculptures are prominently displayed throughout the country.
His most recent awards, ironically, come from this first place of inspiration, Brookgreen Gardens. “La Paire d’Amour” received the Gold Medal and Maurice B Hexter Prize from the National Sculpture Society 80th annual exhibition. The piece which brought him these prestigious awards stands 25 inches high and is a limited edition bronze.
Darrell’s work is wildly popular and highly sought after. He is an amazing person as well as a masterful sculptor. We want to let you know about some of the shows that Darrell will be participating in. These shows include the best of the best artists and sculptors. Most of these shows are juried, meaning the artist goes through an arduous process of being selected. Once selected by a group of their peers they are part of the tour. “La Paire d’Amour” have made quite a splash, so to speak. The National Sculpture Society tour has made its way to Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet, SC. This year Darrell has had this piece, “La Paire d’Amour” in the National Sculpture Society, the Society of Animal Artists, Birds in Art tour as well as in the California Art Club exhibit last year! No easy feat!
The smiles that come to the faces of those who approach these sculptures is always a treat to see. They are wonderful on so many levels. If you haven’t seen Darrell’s work before, stop in the gallery if you’re in town, otherwise we have his pieces on our website!
Below is some information from each of these society’s/groups in regards to the tours and shows…
NATIONAL SCULPTURE SOCIETY (NSS)
The Annual Awards Exhibition is National Sculpture Society’s most popular show. This juried show opened May 18, 2013 at the Tampa Museum of Art and has now traveled to Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet, SC. This show will be open through October 27, 2013.
“The National Sculpture Society 80th Annual Awards Exhibition” will travel to Brookgreen Gardens from the Tampa Museum of Art in Tampa, FL. This popular juried exhibition, coming to Brookgreen for the 14th consecutive year, presents the work of rising stars alongside American masters of sculpture. Once again, visitors will be able to vote for their favorite works to win Brookgreen Gardens’ People’s Choice Award.
SOCIETY OF ANIMAL ARTISTS (SAA)
THE SOCIETY OF ANIMAL ARTISTS 53rd ANNUAL EXHIBITION and ART AND THE ANIMAL TOUR
The Society of Animal Artists is an organization consisting of members who produce the best animal art in the world. The mission of the Society of Animal Artists is to promote excellence in the portrayal of domesticated and wild animals in art. The upshot of this nexus of talent and mission, is that artworks created by members of the Society of Animal Artists have established new standards of excellence in fine art, and that the Annual Exhibition of the Society of Animal Artists and its traveling exhibition, Art and the Animal, have become the standard by which all others are measured.
To find out the premiere and tour location and dates, click HERE.
BIRDS IN ART TOUR
Birds amuse with their antics, invoke awe with their majesty, and provide endless artistic inspiration for artists throughout the world. Artists who strive to be among those chosen for this internationally renowned exhibition continually raise the bar of artistic achievement. The 38th annual Birds in Art exhibition celebrates avian marvels through fresh interpretations in original paintings, sculptures, and graphics created within the last two years by worldwide artists.
The tour begins at Woodson Art Museum in Wausau, Wisconsin… To see the tour location and dates, click HERE.
CALIFORNIA ART CLUB (CAC)
“La Paire d’Amour” appeared at the California Art Club 101st Annual Gold Medal Juried Exhibition last year (April 1-22, 2012) at the Autry National Center located in Los Angeles, CA!
I’ll leave you with a few more of Darrell’s images… if you ever get a chance to see these in person… please do!
This piece, FLYING HERON, is so elegant and makes such a statement. People are amazed by this one… we have this one at the gallery, and it is striking! It stands a majestic 85 inches high!
“Flying Heron” by Darrell Davis
Darrell has also done some large-scale public installations that are quite impressive!
“Heron and the Sun”, “Protector of Freedom” and “Into the Evening Light”
“The Lesson” – fabulous bears, aren’t they? Look at the scale compared to the people pictured on the right…
“Charles E. Fraser” and “Waiting for the Rails”
A note about the Charles E. Fraser sculpture located in Hilton Head, SC… After Charles Fraser’s death, the Community Foundation commissioned sculptor Susie Chisholm of Savannah to create the Fraser statue, which measures just over 6 feet tall. Darrell Davis of Texas sculpted the 10-foot-long alligator. Interesting, isn’t it?
If you’re in Charleston, SC stop by Anglin Smith Fine Art, or visit our website! We look forward to hearing from you!
Be sure to like us on Facebook – Anglin Smith Fine Art to keep up to date on the latest from the gallery!
Info via: Brookgreen Gardens, National Sculpture Society, Society of Animal Artists, Birds in Art Tour
Images via: Darrell Davis
Information about the Charles E. Fraser sculpture from Community Foundation of the Lowcountry