ABOUT OUR ARTISTS

For information on this limited edition print ($250) by artist Rhett Thurman, contact the Philip Simmons Children's Garden at (843) 534-0201.

Rhett Thurman

Rhett Thurman has achieved national acclaim for her oils and water- colors. She has exhibited with the prestigious American and National Watercolor Societies. Her work has been featured in national publications, and is included in private, museum and corporate collections.

She is the recipient of the 1995 Outstanding Alumna Award from Queens College, where she earned her degree in studio art. Her education and painting experience include further study in Europe and the United States.

She has served as president of South Carolina Watercolor Society is a long standing faculty member with the Gibbes Art Museum of Charleston, and a co-founder of Southern Exposure, offering national and international travel and painting opportunities.

Her work can be seen at the Wells Gallery and at her studio both in the historic district of Charleston, South Carolina.

Gallery: (843) 853-3233 Studio: (843) 577-6066

A clay model of the statue of Philip Simmons by Tom Durham

Tom Durham

Charleston sculptor Tom Durham crafted a life-sized statue of Philip Simmons as well as a statue of Jesus washing the feet of children. While he works in a New Orleans studio, his work is featured in Charleston at the Martin Gallery.

Here's a statement from Durham that's on his Web site:

"My sculptures and drawings display a genuine interest and knowledge of the uman figure, incorporating aspects of the human psyche with a personalized mythology. They are filled with pathos,humor, and an overall individualized look at life. The works are heightened with emotional expression by combining a classical stylization with a surreal and symbolic imagery. In addition, the allegorical aspects of the sculptures show a complexity of life with movement, composition and a sophisticated modeling of the figure. At times, to bring even more narrative to the work,architectural facades have been added. This introduces a theatrical quality that imbues more drama to the sculpture and exemplifies the theatrics of our everyday life.

My work has always been influenced by literature, observation of life and an early introduction to art. Though pursuing a higher education in art and teaching for numerous years at UCLA, University Of Minnesota, and the College of Charleston, my style and modeling skills of the figure are self taught. My first real introduction to art began with a visit as a child to the New York World's Fair. Upon seeing Michelangelo's Florentine Pieta I was overwhelmed with a powerful desire to create images with feeling. I picked up pencil and paper taught myself how to draw and eventualy, turned my hand towards sculpture, which was natural since the drawings were sculptural in design. Hopefully, the work still holds these early influences and show more that I have picked up during my years of study and at the same time displays an individuality that you find exciting."

More: Tom Durham Sculpture
web site: http://www.tomdurhamsculpture.com/