Sedona's Goldenstein Gallery Celebrates John Waddell

Renowned Sculptor John Waddell's pieces hold a profound presence. His internationally acclaimed bronze nudes have had a dramatic impact on communities, opening their hearts and minds. His body of work reflects a life spent masterfully depicting the essence of humanity, with grace. Goldenstein Gallery in Sedona, AZ will be celebrating John Waddell's 98th birthday on Friday on February 1st, from 5-7pm during the opening reception for their February exhibition Body Language.

Waddell began his professional art career in 1937 and has since created a visually moving body of paintings and bronze sculpture. His work has been compared to that of Rodin, full of surging emotion. An intrinsic part of the Arizona art world for over 50 years, he has taught and exhibited in one-man shows and permanent installations throughout the state. A prolific artist, there are 14 public venues in Phoenix alone where his work is on display. He has also had exhibitions and permanent installations throughout the United States.

Waddell attended the Art Institute of Chicago and the G.I. Bill financed the remainder of his formal education. He and his wife, Ruth, a close partner in his professional as well as his personal life, moved to Arizona in 1957. Here he headed the art education department at Arizona State University (then Arizona State College) for several years. During this time Waddell made sculpture his primary art form.

September 15, 1963, marked a changing point in his art and life philosophy. On August 28 Rev. Martin Luther King had delivered his iconic I Have a Dream Speech and two weeks later a bomb exploded before Sunday morning services at the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama-a church with a predominantly African-American congregation that also served as a meeting place for civil rights leaders. Four young girls were killed and many other people injured. All four of the men linked to the bombing belonged to the Ku Klux Klan. Outrage over the incident and the violence between protesters and police that followed drew national attention to the hard-fought, often-dangerous struggle for civil rights.

Waddell was so moved by this that he immediately went into his studio and began moving things around - making way for something. Feeling something had to be done, to be said. As he was a sculptor, it would be through his art. He and his models would retaliate with peace.

Over the next 15 months, 19 different women from the surrounding community came to pose for Waddell and his sculptural eulogy to the four little black girls - the work that would come to be titled, "That Which Might Have Been, Birmingham, 1963." These 4 poignant sculptures, facing North, South, East and West, represent the girls had they grown to womanhood. They are on permanent display at the Unitarian Church in Phoenix and the George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center in Phoenix.

His "Dance," on permanent display at Phoenix's Herberger theatre helped establish the growing city's commitment to public art. Described as "particularly joyous" by the Phoenix New Times, "Dance" depicts dancers in the height of their artistic tension. Defined by the motion and interactions of their bodies, this piece effortlessly displays a sense of balance and vivacious community.

He says of his work "I see the beauty in the individual."

Waddell's pieces are part of Goldenstein gallery's 8th Annual Body Language exhibition. Both classic and modern interpretations are included in this beautiful and thought provoking show which also features the works of renowned artists James Muir, Lucius Upshaw, Sherab Khandro, Ben Wright, David DeVary, David Phelps, Carla Romero, Reagan Word and LauRha Frankfort.

The public is invited to the opening reception for "Body Language" on Friday February 1st, from 5-7pm. Join them and raise a toast to John Waddell as the gallery celebrates his 98th birthday!

For more information on Artists, Artwork, Satellite Exhibits & Artists in Residence please visit GoldensteinArt.com. Sign up for their monthly E-zine, Instagram and Facebook or call 928-204-1765. Open daily, Goldenstein Gallery's address is 150 State Route 179, at the corner of SR179 and 89A. Voted Best Gallery in Sedona 11 years running and recently named the best place to shop in Sedona by USA Today 10 Best, Goldenstein Gallery is known for its diversity of world-renowned local and regional artists in all media and styles.

To post a comment, you must register and login.