The staff, or crosier, is topped with a bowed crucifix and a gaunt yet unwavering Christ figure— the work of Santa Fe sculptor Gib Singleton. Posted on 04/06/2005 10:32:58 AM PDT by woofie
The staff, or crosier, is topped with a bowed crucifix and a gaunt yet unwavering Christ figure— the work of Santa Fe sculptor Gib Singleton.
Singleton, who suffers from emphysema, declined to be interviewed by the Journal due to health problems and because he does not want to commercialize the pope's death, according to friends and Fenton Moore, director of Santa Fe's Gallerie Zuger, where Singleton's work is shown.
An 18-inch bronze version of the pope's crucifix is on display at Shidoni Foundry, about five miles north of Santa Fe. Singleton used to work at Shidoni, and some of his other religious figures, including a striking statue of Moses, are also on display there.
"Gib's the kind of person who can read someone's personality and can capture it three-dimensionally," Shidoni president Scott Hicks said Tuesday. "To see his work have meaning to someone so important as the pope is really great."
Singleton's sculptures are well-known around the world. Some of his pieces are featured in the permanent collections of the Vatican Museum, New York's Museum of Modern Art, the State of Israel and the Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma.
Years ago, Singleton was asked to assist in the restoration process when Michelangelo's Pieta was vandalized at the Vatican. He served as the Vatican's restoration specialist for three years.
Tommy Hicks, owner of Shidoni and Singleton's longtime friend, said Shidoni's bronze version of the crucifix like the one on the papal staff was likely made in 1975.
Hicks believes the silver version now on display as Pope John Paul II lies in state was made sometime earlier for a cardinal, who later gave it to the pope. It may have been cast in Italy, he said.
The signature features of Singleton's work are the resolute expressions on the figures' faces and knotty detail on hands and feet. His pieces also are known to contain elements of self-portraiture, with prominent noses and drawn facial features.
Although Singleton was born on a cotton farm in eastern Missouri, Scott Hicks described the prolific Singleton as a man with the spirit of old Santa Fe— someone who "always calls the shots and does things his own way."
Singleton was educated at Southern Illinois University and the Art Institute of Chicago, where he won a Fulbright fellowship to Italy. The artist has also studied for his doctorate in Greek mythology and theology.
His talent may have been cultivated by education, but Tommy Hicks said the true genius behind Singleton's sculpture is his enthusiasm for his work.
"It's the passion he has for creativity," Hicks said. "His work has a very intense feeling. It really captures the action, so simple and powerful."
bump...just thought this was interesting
Thanks, I've googling in vain to find out who the artist is.
I am bumping this to sees if the thread gets more interest. I am always glad to see talented artists credited for their work. Kudos to this gentleman for not trying to capitalize on the Pope's death.
I thought it was Giacometti. Good to know.
Very interesting. Thanks for posting.
Interesting FYI PING
We're going to be in Santa Fe over Memorial Day. Will make it a point to go to the Shidoni Foundry.
I'm glad you posted this woofie, I noticed that staff many times when the Pope carried it and thought it was a wonderful work of art.
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