Born in Germany
and raised in Australia, Mick Doellinger has called the United
States home since 2003.
For over 40
years Mick has focused his time on sculpting; from his early
years of scientific sculpting of the mannikins used
in the taxidermy industry, to now solely immersing himself in
the creation of fine art bronzes, Micks subjects span the
globe and highlight his varied interests.
My
earlier work was much more literal, but over time Ive preferred
to not overwork the clay. With this looser style,
collectors of my work will continue to notice something they
hadnt seen before, even if its just a partial fingerprint
or smudge. These slight imperfections are a reminder
of the hands-on sculpting process, kept frozen in the finished
bronze. Doellinger strives
to capture “the essence” of an animal, and hopes viewers will connect
with his sculptures in some way, noticing the subtle nuances of the shape
motion or character in each piece.
For
me, its less about creating a perfect replica of the animal,
and more about sculpting a narrative or moment in time.
Micks
life-long accumulation of in-depth knowledge of animals has given
him unique insights into their anatomy, movements and behavior.
From his many years of rodeo, commercial butchering, guiding
& wildlife management, Doellinger believes his time in the
field, studying the subjects & environments they occupy,
is critical to his creative process.
Although
I’ve been sculpting most of my life, I continue to be inspired by new
possibilities and feel my best years are still ahead.
- Mick
Doellinger -
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