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Art Source Ohio Gallery Executive Director Ella Kraimer and sculptor Bret Price discuss one of his pieces at the gallery in New Bremen. A 40-year retrospective of Price's work will be on display beginning Saturday through September 15 at the gallery located at 647 West Monroe Street. An opening party and reception will take place at the gallery from 1-5 p.m Saturday.
NEW BREMEN - Celebrated contemporary sculptor Bret Price is welcoming the public to a miniature retrospective of his 40-year career this Saturday at Art Source Ohio.
An opening party and reception for "Bret Price: A 40 Year Survey/Metal Sculpture" will be held from 1-5 p.m. at the gallery, located at 617 W. Monroe Street in the former Fastenal building.
After the opening reception, the exhibit will be open to the public during regular business hours at the gallery, 1-5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday or by appointment, until September 15.
Price is an artist renowned for his signature steel sculptures and ceramics. Some of his towering sculptures gifted by the estate of Dianne Komminsk can be found throughout the village and at the high school. His work can be found in the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C., the Pepsico Collection in New York and the University of Cincinnati.
The showcase will feature more than 100 pieces ranging from small to monumental, some as much as 34 feet tall and weighing several tons.
"Lemon Zest," 2016, by sculptor Bret Price. A 40-year retrospective of Price's work will be on display beginning Saturday through September 15 at the Art Source Ohio Gallery located at 647 West Monroe Street, New Bremen. An opening party and reception will take place at the gallery from 1-5 p.m Saturday.
Price, 73, seamlessly blends art and science through his sculptures of all sizes. The Orange County, California, artist utilizes a 40-ton hydraulic press to create works from unwieldy steel.
The sculptor has taken an annual summer pilgrimage to New Bremen to create his sculptures since the summer of 1999. From April through September, Price can be found creating his large-scale sculptures on a farm just outside of town.
Nearly every year of his 40-year career is represented in the showcase, according to Art Source Ohio Gallery Director Ella Kraimer. Some pieces are inspired by the visual rhythm and movement of dancing, while other works have references to birds and wildlife.
Price said he likes to let the metal speak for itself while creating his art, letting the hydraulic press flatten, squish and twist steel into new forms.
"There's a natural direction that it goes when I start composing," he said. "It's almost like improv theater in that I don't do drawings, I don't do models. I just start working."
"Tonguesten," 1988, by sculptor Bret Price. A 40-year retrospective of Price's work will be on display beginning Saturday through September 15 at the Art Source Ohio Gallery located at 647 West Monroe Street, New Bremen. An opening party and reception will take place at the gallery from 1-5 p.m Saturday.
With the right pressure, paint and patience, Price transforms steel into ironed silk, ancient Celtic ruins and otherworldly portals. Whether his art inspires or confuses the viewer, Price said he's just happy his work is contemplated.
"I hope that they have the same realization that I had when I made this work, which is that I have no idea how this is. I mean, I've never seen anything like this before," he said. "I know how a piece is made, but I often get that 'How the hell'd you do that?' That's a common thing. But that means the work has caused curiosity and trying to figure it out.
Art should create a sense of wonder," he continued. "It's all about seeing something new and having it enrich your life. And I hope when people come in here that they'll see pieces that they really like, some pieces they don't understand, pieces they're not crazy about. That happens all the time."
"Zig Zag," 2012, by sculptor Bret Price. A 40-year retrospective of Price's work will be on display beginning Saturday through September 15 at the Art Source Ohio Gallery located at 647 West Monroe Street, New Bremen. An opening party and reception will take place at the gallery from 1-5 p.m Saturday.
Kraimer, who is native to the area, said it's important to have galleries and similar establishments for community members to celebrate and take in art. She said making art accessible breaks down the exclusivity of the art world.
"What's so special for Bret to have his gallery here and for me to be able to work here, to do my first job in the art world in a place like New Bremen, is special because of the impact a place like this has on the community," she said. "We really just want to warmly welcome everybody in the surrounding area and just build a sense of community or help foster that and connect people to art."
To stay up to date with the gallery and its exhibitions, follow Art Source Ohio on Instagram.
"Au- Soleil," 2008, by sculptor Bret Price. A 40-year retrospective of Price's work will be on display beginning Saturday through September 15 at the Art Source Ohio Gallery located at 647 West Monroe Street, New Bremen. An opening party and reception will take place at the gallery from 1-5 p.m Saturday.
A number of sculptures made by Bret Price sit on display at the Art Source Ohio's gallery located at 647 W. Monroe St., New Bremen.
