VAUGHN BABCOCK
INSPIRATIONS
Themes
I am interested in Greek and Roman mythologies and some challenges to--and by--the world’s religions with particular emphasis on Judeo-Christian histories, traditions, and behaviors.
Additionally, I explore themes of pleasure, love, war, personal conflict and struggle, sex, gender, sin, and social morals and mores.
Above all, my sculptures are nudes. In his seminal study, The Nude, Sir Kenneth Clark says, "...the nude is not the subject of art but a form of art," and that "no nude...should fail to arouse in the spectator some vestige of erotic feeling...and if it does not do so, it is bad art and false morals." [Doubleday Anchor, c. 1956, pp. 25 & 29.]
My work evokes emotions---perhaps joy, desire, passion, mystery, anger, humor, play. The themes and materials, bronze and gold leaf, and the textures and colors set the moods. Light is also critical here.
Methods
I work with bronze using the "Lost Wax Method" because of the material's permanence and the method's facilitation in replicating multiple copies. This material and method also allow me to express my vision and goals over a long period of time, as opposed to a material such as terra cotta, which sets quickly. After casting a piece, I select the patina color to achieve the desired mood. The entire process is time consuming and complex, requiring significant interaction with the foundry from the earliest planning stages.
My work incorporates gold leaf to highlight certain elements and to create a mood with a brilliance and richness not achievable with patina color or paint. Gold also suggests permanence.
Light
The quality of light---cool, warm, bright, dim, colored, direct, indirect, natural, artificial, etc.---is critical for capturing sculptural detail and creating a mood.
I enjoy viewing and photographing my work with both natural daylight and artificial lighting. Natural daylight constantly changes, revealing detail and color in my pieces and creating subtle shifts in mood throughout the day, the season, differing weather conditions, and by geographic location. Spot lighting can accentuate one or more elements.
Influences
Romantic nineteenth century bronzes and marbles in the United States, France, England and other countries from my travels inform my work. In addition, Greek, Roman, Italian, French, English, and American temples and follies impact "New York Folly"---which is my current sculpture in progress.
When asked, "What inspires you?" British Architect Norman Foster replied: "Everything."
Exactly!
Please enjoy the work.
VAUGHN BABCOCK
CURRICULUM VITAE
Education
1972
University of California at Berkeley
Bachelor of Architecture,
Cum Laude (Five Year Program)
Graduate Courses in Architectural
Lighting, Urban Design, & Sculpture
(One additional Year)
Gallery Exhibitions
2020
Huntington Beach Art Center
Huntington Beach, CA
("Nothing Between Them"
and "Modesty")
2019
Lora Schlesinger Gallery
Santa Monica, CA ("Eve")
Sculpture and Architecture
2018-21
WhiteHotBronze, Bronze Castings,
Laguna Woods, CA
"New York Folly" (In Progress)
"Colossus"
"Paula"
"Eve in Fall"
"Adam in Fall"
"Modesty"
“Nothing Between Them”
"Eve"
"Adam"
2016-17
VCB Terra Cotta
“Monet’s Reclining Woman,”
“Green Pepper w/legs, feet”
“Classically Speaking”
2010
VCB Bronze Casting
“Adam, M-12”
1994
VCB Terra Cotta
“Adam’s Foot"
“Eve's Bust"
“Adam & Eve,” bas relief
“Form Massing”
1974-75
Sketches for Guy Dill’s
US Interstate 1976 Bicentennial Proj.
1974-75
"Easy Edges"
Furniture Design Display
San Francisco Mus. of Modern Art
1973-74
AIA Installations
(with Tim Vreeland, FAIA)
Pacific Design Center
West Hollywood, CA
1972-75
Lighting Design at office of
Frank O. Gehry & Associates
Santa Monica, CA
1972-74
“Easy Edges” Furniture Designs
at Frank O. Gehry & Associates
Santa Monica, CA
1972-74
Model Making with
Frank Gehry, FAIA
Santa Monica, CA
1971
VCB Aluminum Castings
“Mercury and the Astronauts”
“Winged Victory Orb"
"Astronauts' Ladder to
Split Moon’s Zap”
1971
Art Display Project for
“3 Pieces by Andy Warhol”
(Mona Lisa, Marilyn, Jackie)
1970
VCB Terra Cotta
“Monolith with Pillow”
and vignettes
1970
Proposed Design for
San Francisco MOMA near
the SF Ferry Terminal Building
1970-2021
Over 220 Architectural Projects
throughout the United States
Relevant Coursework
2016
Saddleback College
Laguna Woods, CA
Emeritus Sculpture Program-
Terra Cotta
2010
VCB and Mc3 Foundry
Los Angeles & Hawthorne, CA
Bronze casting
1994
Otis College of Art & Design
Los Angeles, CA
Sculpture Basics-Metal Casting
Terra Cotta, Marble Carving,
1971
University of California, Berkeley
Sculpture-Metal Casting
1966-68
University of California, Berkeley
Sculpture-Terra Cotta
Art and Architectural History
Art Associations
2023
The International Sculpture Center
Hamilton, NJ
2023
National Sculpture Society
New York, NY
2023
Pacific Rim Sculptors
San Francisco, CA
2019-2021
The Huntington Beach Art Center
Huntington Beach, CA
Artist Council
2016-2017
Potters and Sculptors Club
Laguna Woods, CA
Architecture Associations
1985-2017
Nat'l Council of Architectural
Registration Boards (NCARB)
Washington, DC
1977-2023
State of California
Architects License
1977-2023
Member, AIA
National, LA, Orange County, CA
1973-77
Associate Member
AIA Los Angeles, California
Travel
Egypt, Greece, Italy, France, England, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, Austria, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Japan, Brazil, Argentina, 47 of 50 states in the US, several Canadian provinces, Mexico, and several Caribbean islands.