Icarus
Steel, 10' x 3' x 3'Marvin Tadlock, Bristol, VA
Location: K.P. Duty Crosswalk
Dr. Marvin Tadlock is a professor at Virginia Intermont College in Bristol, Virginia. He has a Master of Fine Arts from the University of North Carolina-Greensboro and received his Doctorate of Education from the University of Georgia. Many of his works are on permanent display throughout the Southeast, and he is a frequent exhibitor with numerous awards and accolades throughout his career.
"Creating sculpture is my passion. I have made my living for the past thirty-six years teaching, and helping others discover, enjoy, and make art. My preferences are rusty steel over bronze or marble, tee shirts and jeans over suits, Tuesdays over Sundays, and, show me rather than tell me. I love people, dogs, nature, storms, humor, passion for a cause, and working with fire. Without question, I prefer contemporary art above art from the past. My sculpture usually falls in one of two categories: aesthetic art, art with no content other than design. And, content art, art that is built in response to, or portraying, a strong message.
The sculpture 'Icarus' is a work that calls attention to and relies heavily on aesthetics. The design elements of line, shape, form, and certainly balance are important forces in this work. Working additively, using the plasma arc cutter and mig welding, I am able to have forms pierce other forms; and at any moment I am able to freeze them in a precarious position in space. While the work itself suggests movement or flight, hence the title, 'Icarus,' it is in reality quite solid and fixed."