Artist Creates African Mask From Tony Award Winner Garth Fagan

ROCHESTER, NY - Rochester artist and sculptor Scott Grove took a mold from the face of Garth Fagan, the Tony Award winning choreographer, to create Vision Reigns, a mask made from walnut burl veneer, quilted maple veneer, steel and 24-karat gold, using a revolutionary compound veneering technique that Grove developed. The mask will be offered as a Silent Auction item available during the tribute to Garth Fagan and his award-winning, internationally acclaimed Garth Fagan Dance at a special gala held on April 25th at Hyatt Regency Rochester.

Vision Reigns is a mask that captures Fagan's leadership in the contemporary dance community and celebrates his anniversary, birthday, and lifelong achievements. Valued at $16,000, the inside of the mask is lined with 24k gold to denote the many awards that Fagan's work has received, including the Tony Award for The Lion King choreography.

"Wooden masks are an important element of African art; they are often used in ritual dances and social and religious events," said Grove. "I was inspired to create a mask to honor Garth's cultural and artistic heritage."

Fagan has been hailed as a "trail blazer" and "one of the great reformers of modern dance." Vision Reigns demonstrates that, while Fagan pushes the limits of dance, Grove pushes the limits of his medium, wood and wood veneer. Among other awards, Grove has won four Veneer Tech Craftsman's Challenge Awards, an unprecedented achievement.

Wood veneer typically bends in one axis, similar to a sheet of paper one can only make a cylinder, not a ball, without wrinkling or tearing the paper. Grove has developed an original process for extreme compound veneering, enabling him to stretch and compress wood veneer to conform to the human face and body.

To create this sculpture, a mold was made from Fagan's face, and a subsequent casting produced. The casting was then modified into a mask using his image as its foundation. Additional male and female molds were also created to be used as forms for Grove's compound wood veneering process.

About Scott Grove

Scott Grove designs and creates sculpture, art furniture, photography, murals, play spaces, interiors, films, architectural reproductions, and other art using multiple media and many disciplines. With unconventional methods in his approach; Grove's exceptional skill and freedom from conventional design and thinking allows him to produce visually tantalizing artwork. He has pioneered a number of veneering techniques, including a spiral match and extreme compound veneering. Visit http://www.scottgrove.com for more information.

Tony is a registered trademark of The American Theatre Wing. The Lion King is a registered trademark of The Disney Company.