Having worked in multiple mediums, including oil portraits, metal work, stone carving, pencil and ink drawings, and others, James Hardy considers himself to be foremost a sculptor.

“For me, the ultimate challenge, and ultimate reward, is expressions through three dimensional displays. Sculpture gives no quarters.” In two dimensional works such as paintings or drawings, only one perspective is utilized. What goes on behind, or to the side, of a subject is not addressed. But with sculpture there is no such leeway. I sculpt full round, and plan for every piece to be viewed from any angle. It can be challenging, but that’s as we see the real world. Art should relay to the world, within the construct of the world.

One of my favorite examples of this from the “classical” world is “The Rape of the Sabine” by Giambologna in 1583. (The 1500s aren’t the classical period, but this piece certainly reflects the genre) From any angle, it is compositionally near perfect. Perhaps the greatest sculpture to reflect such.

As for my own work, my favorite subject is the human form. In my opinion the most difficult of which to master. That’s because each of us is born with the innate ability to recognize ourselves within one another. We may not be aware of how we know whether something is right or wrong, or may not be able to articulate it, but we instinctively “know” when we “see”. If an artwork is not accurately representative of our fellow man, even in abstract or extended form, we know. We each have a natural very judgmental eye, even if we aren’t consciously aware of it.

After many years producing and showing many works, I now sculpt primarily for myself and my family. I accept commissions, or allow pieces for purchase, occasionally. Utilize the contact button for inquiries.