Artist Statement
Duncan MacDiarmid feels a connection to the land. The grit, moisture, light, and emotion that binds our human experience. This interest took him first to the sculptural figure and portrait. Eventually these representational forms wove themselves into works that evoke a particular sense of place within our environment. These pieces later evolved into artworks that comments on our global, human to planet relationship.
As Duncan works, narratives evolve alongside his sculptures. These "stories" ultimately become written descriptions that accompany each exhibited work. This artist wants the viewer to understand the ideas and thoughts that were present as he constructed each piece. From maker to observer, each artwork presents a window through which one might glimpse some aspect of this world and the human experience it affords us.
Duncan’s artistic explorations began as a child in Philadelphia. In 1965 an overturned coal bin covered with wallpaper became his workstation. Using scraps of wood, a saw, vise, and hammer, he began building. He has since created public and private sculptures for libraries, churches, and universities in bronze, terracotta, and polymer materials. After moving to Pittsburgh in 1988, he has operated a small sculptural tile company, worked as an art handler, taught sculpture, and partnered to raise three wonderful children. Today, Duncan lives and works in a hillside studio, overlooking Pittsburgh's Lawrenceville neighborhood and the Allegheny River.
Duncan holding the recently completed SunStar with tree-top canopy in background. Summer 2018.
I will always be amazed by the generosity of friends, family, neighbors, and new acquaintances
who embraced the seed of an idea and then creatively worked to grow it into a powerful reality.
who embraced the seed of an idea and then creatively worked to grow it into a powerful reality.
THANK YOU!
Copyright 2017-2024, Duncan MacDiarmid