Volume CXXXII, Number 1 September 13, 2002 f

Professor John Bisbee exhibits his art in Soho gallery
SARA BODNAR
STAFF WRITER

So what's all the fuss about? Can three one-ton sculptures of welded 12-inch spikes really attract that much attention?

Courtesy of Plane Space Gallery, New York City

Apparently they can. Art in America, The New Yorker, Art Forum, and Sculpture/Modern Forum were there, as were a host of Bowdoin alums and faculty. On August 28, at the Plane Space Gallery in New York City, an exhibit featuring the artwork of John Bisbee opened in Soho. The show will last until October 4 at a gallery that is run by Bowdoin grads Chad McDermid and Bryson Brodie.

Plane Space is not the only gallery to have displayed Bisbee's creations. The sculptor has also had shows at the former Seafirst Gallery in Seattle, the Albright Knox Art Gallery in Buffalo, and the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art in Kansas City. He plans to have another exhibit next summer at the DeCordva Museum of Art in Lincoln, Massachusetts.

Perhaps the reason that so many galleries have been interested in Bisbee is because of the electrifying energy that each of his works exudes. Like a bundle of trapped energy, Bisbee's art mirrors the same enthusiasm that the artist possesses himself when talking about his work.

After fifteen years of working with nails, he is still delighted by the craft and does not plan on stopping any time soon. "It's fascinating that I can work with one thing," he said, "everything opens up, the options become endless."
Even when using nails alone, Bisbee still manages to create tremendous variety within his work. In fact, the current exhibit reflects a vast array of different shapes and designs. Symmetrical spheres of pointy nails lie next to a long winding path of spikes. A melted bunch of nails stick straight up in the air. One can't help but wonder how he does it. Bisbee's answer: "It's who I am, it's what I do."

It took him 13 months of daily, consistent work to craft the sculptures in his current exhibit. It was certainly worth it; Bisbee deems this exhibit "the best so far."

When asked how he feels about the end of a project, Bisbee said, "It's always a letdown. It's a strange thing to empty yourself out and have this manifested residue-nothing can match the effort."

Fortunately, many viewers will continue to appreciate his efforts. His innovative use of everyday substance speaks to artists and non-artists alike. "The one thing I love about visual art is that I don't have to talk about it," Bisbee said. Photos of Plane Space's exhibit prove that he's right. With their intricate contortions and captivating patterns, Bisbee's sculptures do all the talking.

The show won't be traveling anywhere, but students can see some of Bisbee's work at the faculty gallery section of the Bowdoin website. Bisbee also has a studio at Fort Andross in downtown Brunswick for those willing to venture beyond the Bowdoin quad.