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Draft:Bill FitzGibbons

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  • Comment: Many of the sources presented are not reliable. Thirteen to fifteen of them are either authored by the subject or come from the subject's personal website, making them primary sources. Please see WP:NARTIST and add references accordingly. Hitro talk 14:20, 3 November 2024 (UTC)
Bill FitzGibbons
Portrait_Bill_FitzGibbons_copy
BornBill FitzGibbons June 7,1950 Memphis Tennessee
EducationWhite Station High School

University of Tennessee (BFA)

Washington University in St.Louis (MFA)
TitleCo-Founder Texas Sculpture Group, Official Chapter of the International Sculpture Center, Founder of Lone Star Alliance
Known ForPyro-Sculpture Performances, Public Art Light Sculptures, Environmental Art
Websitehttps://www.billfitzgibbons.com

Bill FitzGibbons (Born June 7,1950), is an American artist who is known for his Pyro-Sculpture performances, public art light sculptures, and environmental art. FitzGibbons has worked with sculpture for over thirty years, and has done projects in numerous countries which have included Finland, Iceland, Germany, the UK, and Sweden. In 2012 The Texas State Legislature announced FitzGibbons as an Official State Artist during the 82nd Legislative Session.

Biography

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Bill FitzGibbons was born in Memphis, Tennessee, his father is Irish American and his mother is from Hanover Germany. While doing undergraduate work FitzGibbons was influenced by the writer Joseph Campbell and his quote "follow your bliss". [1] His upbringing also entailed having witnessed the Memphis soul music movement which developed in Memphis, Tennessee, during the 1960's and 1970's.

FitzGibbons began his artistic career as a painter but then started to implement neon into his paintings which eventually developed into light sculptures. From there he started exploring various forms of public art which included environmental works. FitzGibbons attended The University of Tennessee and then Washington University in St.Louis. He began creating sculptures while taking undergraduate work at The University of Tennessee. At the graduate level at WashU in St.Louis he focused on sculpture and multi media works.

In 2012 FitzGibbons was named an official state artist of Texas by the states government. Today FitzGibbons has a studio located in the Lone Star art district in San Antonio Texas he has been in the area for over 20 years. Lone Star studios hosts a 2nd Saturday Art walk monthly.[2]

Artistic Style

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Olaf 1994

Pyro-Sculpture Performance

FitzGibbons is associated with pyro-sculpture performances. This art is made with pyrotechnics, dance, sculptural aspects, and music. FitzGibbons has utilized pyro-sculpture performance in a manner that explores mythology, an example of this can be found in his Olaf. [3] Other methods of pyrotechnics have been used within the history of art to explore different themes. Some tools which have been used by artists to create pyro-sculpture performances include blow torches and fireworks.

Light rails 2013

Public Art Light Sculpture

FitzGibbons is also very closely linked with public art light sculptures and has won numerous awards because of them. These works entail displays made for public viewing in which the utilization of light is the focal point for each composition. FitzGibbons has used public art light sculptures to cover transit centers, airports, and parks. An example of one of his public art light sculptures would be his LightRails which is located in downtown Birmingham Alabama. Another art making method which deals with light is LightPainting. Other artist working with light include Olafur Eliasson, James Turrell, Stephen Antonakos and Chryssa.

Environmental Art

Duck Pond Plaza 1998

FitzGibbons works of art often deal with the environment and how his artworks interact with it. These works have conveyed representational renderings and abstracted designs. These works have been displayed at parks and correctional facilities. An example of one his environmental art work renderings would be his Duck Pond, which was made with eight steel columns. Apart from animal representations other examples of environmental art could deal with the natural environment or can be politically motivated. Other artist working with environmental art include, Andy Goldsworthy, Nancy Holt, Dennis Oppenheim, Alan Sonfist, and Stacy Levy.

Artworks

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  • 2024 Salish Sea Sunset, a cast glass and a LED wall artwork for the SeaTac International Airport (Concourse B), Seattle, Washington[4]
  • 2022-24 South Main Underpass, commissioned to install a light sculpture for the Main Street underpass in the historic Near Southside community in Fort Wort, TX[5]
  • 2020 Stockyard Spectrum, site-specific interior light sculpture, Broadstone Stockyards multi-use project, downtown Nashville, Tennessee[6]
  • 2019 West Palm Beach Lights, site-specific computerized LED sculpture on the new Braman Motorcars facility, West Palm Beach, Florida.[7]
  • 2018 El Paso Passage, site-specific computerized LED light sculpture under Airways Blvd. at the entrance to the El Paso International Airport.[8]
  • 2016 Kinetic Skyline, a permanent, site-specific LED light sculpture for the Bank of America plaza building.[9]
  • 2016 Centro Chrome Tower, an eighty-five foot interactive light sculpture tower that is part of the new downtown Westside Transit Center. (San Antonio, TX)[10]
  • 2015 Current Drift, a bridge project in collaboration with George Schroeder. (Allen, TX)[11]
  • 2014 Culebra Plaza, environmental plaza with LED light sculpture. This artwork was in collaboration with the local neighborhood association and school. (San Antonio, TX)[12]
  • 2013 LightRails, downtown. (Birmingham, AL)[13]
  • 2013 San Antonio Colorline, a permanent, site-specific LED light sculpture for the downtown Robert B. Green University Health System Clinic. (San Antonio, TX)[14]
  • 2012 Chinook Lights, site-specific, LED light installation for the King County Office. (Seattle, WA)[15]
  • 2010 Knoxville ColorLine, Site-specific ephemeral light installation at the Knoxville Museum of Art. (Knoxville, TN)[16]
  • 2010 Öndvegissúlur "Poem of Light", site-specific ephemeral light installation at the City Hall. (Reykjavik, Iceland)[17]
  • 2008 Alamo Lights, site-specific, ephemeral light installation on the Alamo; Luminaria festival. (San Antonio, TX)[18]
  • 2006 Day Star Archway, 40' tall archway and walkway at the San Antonio International Airport. (San Antonio, TX)[19]
  • 2006 Light Channels, site-specific, public art project consisting of aluminum sculptures and hundreds of LED lights. Installed at the I-37 underpasses at Houston and Commerce Streets. (San Antonio, TX)[20]
  • 2003-2005 Skywall, 60’ long sculpture with LED lights located at the Bush Intercontinental Airport. (Houston, TX)[21]
  • 2001 Duck Pond Plaza, design Team with Groves and Associates, redesign of a neighborhood park with public art. (San Antonio, TX)[22]
  • 2000 Millennium Plaza, site-specific sculpture for the University of Houston. (Victoria, TX)[23]
  • 1996 Rhode Island Lights, exterior, neon sculpture at the Rhode Island Convention Center. (Providence, RI)[24]
  • 1992 Homage to Balder, commissioned by the Millesgarden Museum and Sculpture Garden to celebrate Swedish mythology. (Stockholm, Sweden)
  • 1990 Lemon Creek Plaza, Lemon Creek Correctional Facility. (Juneau, AK)
  • 1988 Fifth Ave. Reflections, interior/exterior neon sculpture for parking facility. (Anchorage, AK)
  • 1988 North Star Plaza, an environmental sculpture for the Fairbanks Youth Facility. (Fairbanks, AK)[25]

Exhibitions

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The first exhibition which featured FitzGibbons work was in 1982 at the Pratt Manhattan Gallery, in New York City since he has been in over sixty-five group exhibitions, and sixteen solo exhibitions.

Selected

  • 2021 The State of Sculpture, San Angelo Museum of Fine Art, San Angelo, Texas[26]
  • 2015 Lalit Kala Akademi (National Academy of Art), New Delhi India
  • 2014 Bill Fitzgibbons, International Museum of Art and Science, Mcallen, Texas
  • 2014 Right Side/Wrong Side, Performance, Lawndale Art Center, Houston, Texas[27]
  • 2008 Alamo Lights, Luminaria: Arts Night in SA San Antonio, Texas
  • 2007 Shattering Glass, Katonah Museum of Art, Katonah, New York
  • 2006 Eellight, The Lab Gallery, New York City, New York
  • 2000 Earth & Fire, San Antonio Museum of Art, clay sculpture exhibit, San Antonio, Texas
  • 1996 Northern Lights, Fruitmarket Gallery, Edinburgh, Scotland
  • 1993 Out of the Fire, Laredo Arts Center, Laredo, Texas
  • 1993 Jansen-Perez Gallery, San Antonio, Texas
  • 1993 Carrington-Gallagher Gallery, San Antonio, Texas
  • 1992 Millesgarden Museum, Stockholm, Sweden
  • 1991 Otso Gallery, Helsinki Finland
  • 1991 Hochsule fur Bildende Kunste, Brunschweig, Germany
  • 1991 Blue Star Art Space, San Antonio, Texas
  • 1988 Anchorage Museum of History and Art, Anchorage, Alaska
  • 1983 Light Motifs, St. Louis Art Museum, St. Louis, Missouri[28]
  • 1982 Pratt Manhattan Gallery, New York City, New York

Awards and Appointments

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  • 2022 CODAworx, Stockyard Spectrum selected as one of the Top 100 International Public Art Projects
  • 2017 Arts & Letters Award, Friends of the San Antonio Public Library[29]
  • 2014 CODAaward for LightRails, juried for the best design project in the transportation category[30]
  • 2012 Texas State 3D (Sculpture) Artist, Texas State Legislature[31]
  • 2011 Board Member, Texas Sculpture Group, Chapter of the ISC
  • 2010 Outstanding Alumni Award, University of Tennessee[32]
  • 2006-2012 International Sculpture Center, Member of Board of Trustees
  • 1995 Visiting Artist, Rhode Island School of Design
  • 1993 Fulbright Scholar, Hungarian Academy of Art and Design[34]
  • 1991 USIA, Artist Fellowship, Helsinki, Finland
  • 1988 Associate Professor, Head of Sculpture Department, San Antonio Art Institute
  • 1985 Director of Sculpture, Visual Arts Center of Alaska, Anchorage

Conference Speaker

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  • 2021, “Public Art Panel”,  Mid South Sculpture Alliance, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
  • 2019 CODAsummit: The Intersection of Art, Technology and Place. Light Sculpture presentation with Jose dos Santos from Signify, El Paso Museum of Art, El Paso, Texas
  • 2018  CODAsummit: The Intersection of Art, Technology and Place.  Moderating panel on Commissioning at the Intersection of Art, Technology and Place, Center for Contemporary Art Santa Fe, Santa Fe, New Mexico.
  • 2016 “International Conference on Public Art” , organized by the Institute for Public Art and  Forecast Public Art, hosted by the University of Shanghai, Shanghai, China
  • 2012 “SCALE: a Gathering of Sculptors” (organizer) sculptors included: Alice Aycock, James Surls, Gudjón Bjarnson (Iceland), Ivano Vitali (Italy), Jesús Moroles, Joan Hall, and Phillip King (UK), Blue Star Contemporary Art Museum, San Antonio, Texas
  • 2010 “”Out of Darkness, Light as Public Art”, 22nd Annual Sculpture Conference, International Sculpture Center, London, England.

See Also

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References

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  1. ^ Campbell, Joseph. "Follow Your Bliss". JosephCampbell Foundation.
  2. ^ San Antonio, City of. "Second Saturday at Dock Space Annex". City of San Antonio Arts & Culture.
  3. ^ FitzGibbons, Bill. "Olaf". BillFitzGibbons Sculpture & Public Art.
  4. ^ International Airport, Seattle-Tacoma. "The restrooms near gate B3 are now home to two art installations. Inside the men's restroom, travelers will see "Salish Sea Sunset #1" and "Salish Sea Sunset #2" by artist Bill FitzGibbons. Minhi England's work "Echos of the Sound" and "Tumbled by the Sea" is on display in the women's restroom". Instagram.
  5. ^ Worth, Fort. "ART IN PROGRESS". FWPA.
  6. ^ FitzGibbons, Bill. "Stockyard Spectrum". Bill FitzGibbons Sculpture & Public Art.
  7. ^ Doris, Tony. "West Palm's latest art: Illuminating colors for dealership garage". The Palm Beach Post.
  8. ^ Gaytan, Samuel. "Airway to close as El Paso installs lighted piece by San Antonio artist Bill FitzGibbons". El Paso Times.
  9. ^ Silva, Elda. "San Antonio artist's 'Kinetic Skyline' will light up downtown building Thursday". MySA.
  10. ^ Marks, Michael. "New Public Art Centro Chroma Tower Illuminates Transportation Plaza". San Antonio Current.
  11. ^ Allen, City of. "Allen public Art master plan 2016" (PDF). revize.com.
  12. ^ FitzGibbons, Bill. "Culebra Park Plaza". City of San Antonio Arts & Culture.
  13. ^ FitzGibbons, Bill. "LightRails". BillFitzGibbons Sculpture & Public Art.
  14. ^ Bennett, Steve. "Artwork shines in healing process". MySA.
  15. ^ FitzGibbons, Bill. "Chinook Lights". BillFitzGibbons Sculpture & Public Art.
  16. ^ Museum of art, Knoxville (16 September 2010). "News". knoxart.org.
  17. ^ FitzGibbons, Bill. "Öndvegissúlur, Poem of Light". Vimeo.
  18. ^ FitzGibbons, Bill. "Alamo Lights". Bill FitzGibbons Sculpture & Public Art.
  19. ^ FitzGibbons, Bill. "Day Star Archway". City of San Antonio Arts & Culture.
  20. ^ FitzGibbons, Bill. "Light Channels". BillFitzGibbons Sculpture & Public Art.
  21. ^ Intercontinental, George Bush. "ARTWORK AT IAH" (PDF). ART at the Airport.
  22. ^ Antonio, San. "Duck Pond". City of San Antonio arts & culture.
  23. ^ FitzGibbons, Bill. "Millennium Plaza". BillFitzGibbons Sculpture & Public Art.
  24. ^ FitzGibbons, Bill. "Rhode Island Lights". BillFitzGibbons Sculpture & Public Art.
  25. ^ FitzGibbons, Bill. "North Star Plaza". BillFitzGibbons Sculpture & Public Art.
  26. ^ FitzGibbons, Bill. "San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts featured Bill FitzGibbons's work in the past". MutualArt.
  27. ^ Sweeney, Gary. "Artist on Artist: Gary Sweeney interviews Bill FitzGibbons". San Antonio Current.
  28. ^ Research, Light in Fine Arts. "Bill FitzGibbons". LIFA.
  29. ^ Letters, Arts &. "Friends of the San Antonio Public Library". friendsofsapl.org.
  30. ^ Design, Interior. "Building a Partnership: 2014 CODAawards Celebrate Multidisciplinary Design". interiordesign.net.
  31. ^ Almanac, Texas. "State Artists of Texas". texasalmanac.com.
  32. ^ Gladden, Beth (20 September 2010). "UT Graduates, Renowned Artists Receive Accomplished Alumni Award". news.utk.edu.
  33. ^ Net, Art. "Timeline". artnet.com.
  34. ^ Board of Directors, SRISA. "BOARDS OF DIRECTORS & ADVISORS". srisa.org.
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