George Tobolowsky
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George Tobolowsky creates steel and stainless steel sculptures by welding together “found objects,” discarded machine parts, industrial parts and scrap metal. He lets the original shapes of the discarded steel pieces determine the form of each sculpture by balancing its compositions with each “found object” or piece of scrap metal. Tobolowsky’s sculptures are visual memories that reflect his business experiences of the past three decades working in the legal and business worlds.
As a native of Dallas, Texas, I earned my business degree and a law degree from Southern Methodist University in the ‘70s. While at SMU, I also minored in Sculpture studying under Texas artist James Surls, who became my mentor and friend. After graduation, I entered the business world and spent the next several decades building a successful business and legal career. I was not producing art myself until about 14 years ago when I felt inspired and with the encouragement of my mentor, Surls, I embarked on my own artistic path. My output over the past 15 years has been rewarding: over 550+ sculptures, 40 Solo Museum and Public Art Exhibitions and 31Group Exhibitions throughout the U.S. and Internationally.
I make abstract metal sculptures from steel and stainless steel “found objects”. These found objects, however, are not of the everyday sort, but rather bulky industrial metal castoffs that I scour scrap yards and fabrication plants to find. I rarely alter these metal pieces but instead work to fit the individual scraps together – much like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle – into a balanced composition. My sculptures are one part assemblage and one part recycling, which follows closely with the philosophy of another early artistic influence and mentor, Louise Nevelson.
My titles are typically added upon completion and offer a suggestion for interpretation but mindfully allows room for various readings within each piece. My works represent a logical extension of the welded steel sculpture tradition that can be traced from Julio Gonzalez to David Smith. My sculptures are in 58 National and International Museums, University Collections and Public Art Collections. My pieces are also in numerous Private Collections. I have had Exhibitions in Vail, CO., Portland OR, Chicago IL, New York City, Chautauqua NY, New Orleans LA, Palo Alto CA. and throughout Texas, India, Venice, and Jerusalem. In January 2015, I co-curated and participated in an international Exhibition of 12 Texas Artists at the National Academy of Art in New Delhi, India. One of my sculptures was selected by the National Academy for their Collection. Also in 2015, I was selected for an “Interdisciplinary Residency Program” at Texas A& M University with a major Exhibition on campus and throughout College
Station and a piece was acquired for the Texas A& M University Art Collection. In 2016, I have had exhibitions at The International Museum of Art & Science in McAllen, TX, The Dallas’ District, The National Museum of Jewish Art, Dallas, TX, The State Fair of Texas, Dallas and The Jewish National Fund National Office, NYC. In 2017, I had Exhibitions at The San Antonio Botanical Garden, The Jerusalem Biennale for Contemporary Jewish Art, Israel, Meadows Museum at Centenary College of Louisiana, Shreveport, LA and an Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition at The National Center for Jewish Art, Dallas, TX. In 2018, I have 10 Exhibitions in Museums and Public Art Locations. I currently have 3 sculptures in the Venice Garden at the Venice Biennale for Architecture and Sculpture with the European Cultural Center. I have been invited back for the 2019 Venice Art Biennale with the ECC and The Jerusalem Biennale for Contemporary Jewish Art, Israel
