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AMM SPOTLIGHT

David Middlebrook

My work is a sentinel to a lost art of old-world craftsmanship and well-made objects. I don’t want
to see those ways of working die ever, it’s what the world is built on. David Middlebrook

My work is a sentinel to a lost art of old-world craftsmanship I’m quite fascinated with trying to make a visual statement that
and well-made objects. I don’t want to see those ways of work- represents an intellectual cause, but I would never do it at the
ing die ever, it’s what the world is built on. expense of beauty. To me first and foremost my work has to be
beautiful and it has to be visually engaging. So, what inspires
During his 49-year career as a professional sculptor, David Mid- me, everything.
dlebrook has become a master of stone, marble, bronze and sus-
tainable materials on every scale and dimension from 50 pounds LJ: With your sculptures being mobile, you’re able to increase
to 50 tons. His work is owned by over 30 museums and public your audience globally instead of being limited to where you’re
collections; he has completed 50 public and private commissions; located, which is what art should be it should be – accessible to
and he has had 100 solo and major group exhibitions globally. everyone.
DM: If you look at a lot of my work there is a lightness, a wisp-
Due to Middlebrook’s international presence, every piece of his iness, an anti-gravity, a defiance of being anchored. Part of that
work is made to easily disassemble and reassemble upon arriv- has made it easier for me to make it disassembly and mobile. It’s
ing to its destination. He was featured in the 2013 Venice Bien- not as static or earth-bound. They seem to be alive, that they’re
nale and has received multiple awards including the National in motion, that they’re constantly in a state of change. To me
Endowments for the Arts. Middlebrook is a Professor Emeritus change is the most important in art making, not to ever do the
and has lectured in 75 art venues and 15 countries worldwide. same piece twice. My last idea is my best idea and it will help
me make my next best idea.
Middlebrook is located in Los Gatos, California.
LJ: Is there a process to how you decide which materials to use
Liza Jones: What inspires your artwork? together?
David Middlebrook: A lifetime of observation. I see shapes all DM: A lot of times I get ideas from my materials. Each material
the time, I see forms, I see beautiful objects that seem like they has its own unique aesthetic. Wood is basically a warm materi-
have integrity and character in the way that they’re shaped. In al; steel is a cold material. There is a personality in that material
terms of my ideas they almost always come from intellectual that in some degree will dictate a human response. Listening
or philosophical concern I have regarding the issues of my life, to the material speak to me is an important aspect of how it
regarding the issues of our time. I think that’s why it’s fair to needs to be portrayed. It’s like a director choosing an actor for
refer to me as a contemporary artist because I deal with the a role – they have their own unique qualities and then the role
issues and times and thoughts that I think are on a constant demands a certain kind of interpretation. So, if that material
basis. Sometimes I tie those to history because they aren’t new has a quality that I love but it’s not right for the interpretation
and other times, they’re fresh off the press. of that particular piece then it’s not the right material.

I’ve been quite possessed and concerned and actively engaged in LJ: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
issues related to contemporary culture, contemporary reality and DM: Above ground [David laughs]. Los Gatos, this is heaven. I
the older I get and the more I realize the changes that need to love other places to go visit. I love traveling - New York, Europe,
be made to make our society more sustainable, the more interest parts of the Far East. I’ve lived in Africa, in Australia, Italy and
I have on the subject. I basically feel art whether it’s music, the- other places but this is, this is home.
atre, drama, film, sculpture, painting, has a basic responsibility
to point out to the powers that be the necessary right thinking to If interested in David Middlebrook artwork please contact:
make the world a better place. That’s at the core of my objective. Reiss@ArtsManagementMagazine.com

70 Arts Management Magazine I www.ArtsManagementMagazine.com