William Freer Artist’s StatementIn search of a sandwich in the mid-’70s, I chanced across three white buildings standingshoulder-to-shoulder on Chicago’s elegant Oak Street. Separated only by the shadows thatlay between, I was stunned by the profound exchange of light to dark where the shadowslive. That moment became the muse for my art.Since that day I have translated shadows into movement through design.~~~From the building of cairns to blowing pigment in a cave, mankind has left a mark. Many ofmy paper, steel and bronze sculptures explore our evolution as artists through the signs andsymbols left behind. These historic images record our journey and tell the story of our need tobe heard in a way that words simply cannot.Through sculpture I look at nature, at history, science, music, metaphor and appreciation.Each piece is designed to explore time, create a conversation through images as diverse asthe promise of the olive branch or the ancient beauty of Anasazi pottery dug from the earth.~~~I love paper ~ its texture, tooth and warmth.From my start as an artist I’ve hand-carved classic geometric shapes through layers ofnatural white-on-white archival papers, turning positives into negatives and loops intoangles that create drama and movement. The work is quiet and contemplative.And then there’s bronze and steel ~ the yang to paper’s yin.In monumental metal sculptures I power through layers of steel and bronze to forge anexchange of lights and darks that reply to the sun as it moves across the sky. The work isnoisy, hot and dangerous.Sculpting in two contrary media gives me the best of opposite worlds. In both, I’m grateful asthe shadows tell the story.~~~Also engaged in public art initiatives, I collaborate with noted public artist Howard Meehan,Santa Fe, NM, USA. Some current work is at WilliamFreerStudio.com/Public Art.My sculpture is represented in private and corporate collections worldwide.