CAPE MAY — “Summer,” one of four bronze sculptures depicting the seasons, being shown at Gallery D’May starting June 21—the first day summer—dances, swirls and leaps with joy at the arrival of “her” season. After last winter, many people in Cape May can relate to her joy.
To welcome summer, D’May Gallery owners John and Dawn DeMayo will showcase 15 works by leading figurative artist Paige Bradley at “The Four Seasons Exhibit” featured at the gallery until July 30. Bradley will discuss her “Seasons” collection and latest works in a live broadcast from London at 1 p.m. at the opening reception of the exhibit. The event is free and open to the public.
Bradley is considered one of the foremost figurative sculptors in the world today. She works in bronze—a material that Greek and Roman artists used in ancient times to create their art—but she pushes the metal to its limits, often combining it with other elements and introducing new perspectives. “Expansion,” for example, one of her earlier pieces, shows a woman sitting cross-legged as shards of light—enlightenment, perhaps—shine through cracks in her body.
“The boundaries of bronze haven’t been found yet,” Bradley explained. “That’s what motivates me.”
Bradley often depicts female figures in her works, believing that they “speak” a timeless, universal language that represents the larger human experience. Renewal, empowerment and strength of will are recurring themes in her pieces.
“Beauty is not enough in a piece,” she said. “Art needs to be healing and inspirational.”
Bradley trained at the acclaimed Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia, where her work is on display today; the Florence Academy in Italy; and Pepperdine University in California. She also apprenticed under widely respected figurative sculptor Richard MacDonald, with whom she worked on “The Flair,” the centerpiece sculpture at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.
Growing up in Carmel, Calif., Bradley knew she wanted to be an artist when she was nine years old. “I was isolated as a child,” she said, “so I created my own stories and environment with paper and pencil.”
Recognizing her talent, her mother—a teacher—enrolled her in an art class offering figurative-drawing instruction using nude models when Bradley was 10. Seven years later, Bradley entered a local sculpture competition, the winner of which would have his or her entry—a composition using one pound of wax—bronzed by the contest’s sponsor. Bradley created a figure of a woman whose arms were turning into wings and won the contest. She is now a regular judge in the contest, and her winning entry is a beloved doorstop in her mother’s house.
Today Bradley’s work appears in private collections worldwide at museums, universities, hospitals, performing arts centers and public spaces. Her work continues to win awards and honors, and is shown in 15 galleries.
Art dealers in Cape May since 1987, the DeMayos, who also own Victorian Walk Gallery N.J., have represented Bradley since 2009. Several of their clients own Bradley’s work and others “yearn to,” according to Dawn DeMayo.
“I’m impressed by Paige’s perspective,” Dawn said. “She truly captures the beauty of the female figure but also digs much deeper and uncannily captures the essence of her spirit.”
Long-time Gallery D’May clients, Craig and Betty Martin started collected Bradley’s work three years ago, and now have three of her sculptures. “All three are beautiful,” Craig said. “Bradley captures the symmetry and shape of the women’s muscles—her detail is extraordinary. I was so happy when her first piece arrived that I danced around the room.”
“My art tells a story,” Bradley explained, “but it’s only half the circle. People bring their own definition, their own title to my work—only then is it complete.”
For more information about the exhibit, please contact Gallery D’May at (609) 884-4465 or visit gallerydmay.com.
Gallery D’May is located at 305 Washington Street Mall, Cape May, NJ 08204.
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