Artist discusses “Steelheads” exhibit

James Korpan with one of his sculptures for “Steelheads.”

Artist James Korpan was at the Estevan Art Gallery and Museum on February 26 to discuss his exhibit, “Steelheads,” which has been on display in the EAGM's Gallery II.

“Steelheads” is comprised of a series of welded steel sculptures that Korpan has been working on for more than 10 years. The sculptures make use of scrap materials that are the remnants of industry and art production.

“I’ve been a sculptor since 1968,” said Korpan.

“Steelheads” started with abstract drawings. It incorporates second-hand pieces of steel that Korpan tracked down and accumulated, and then twisted, heated and welded together.

The forms are not to be understood as literal representations of birds, fish, or people, but rather, they are the artist's interpretations and reactions to concepts of biological entities.

One of his sculptures is called “The Goaler. Korpan said he drew from “The Man in the Iron Mask.” It could represent a hockey goaltender, or it could represent a prisoner.

Korpan said he named the exhibit “Steelheads” partially as a tribute to his fishing hobby, and partially because the name describes what is involved in the exhibit: the heads of people and other living things.

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