Gino Miles Born and raised in Colorado on a tiny farm in a remote town, sculptor Gino Miles lived in Italy for ten years and now lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Miles holds a BA and MFA from the University of Northern Colorado and studied at Italy’s Universita per i stranieri and Accademia di Bella Arti. Miles creates both monumental and small-scale works cut and welded by hand in stainless steel and bronze. Each work is a stand-alone piece, he rarely works in editions. His curvilinear abstract forms create a visual contradiction to the sculptures’ materials. Many of his works - even monumental ones - are kinetic and can be turned, rotated, or spun to allow viewer interaction and multiple perspectives. The smooth, polished surfaces of the work call for an inordinate amount of time. Miles said one 60-inch high sculpture “took 400 sheets of sandpaper of different grades to make smooth.” Miles explores a deep, timeless aesthetic connection to the primal spirit of humanity. In minimalistic yet often monumental sculptures, he interweaves references to science and natural phenomena with the passage of time. His signature work found its inspiration in the twisted morning glory vines growing in his backyard that knotted themselves “as if tying a shoelace.” He says, “I am fascinated by nature’s ability to weave itself so exquisitely into a knot - a historic symbol of unity and connection.” Exploring the relationship between organic and inorganic materials led Miles to a strong conceptual balance of how things grow, bond together, and responds to its environment.” He goes on to say, “All life is a form that, in essence, moves in concentric circles.” While he is known for his knot pieces, he also creates abstract works that reference the dots and dashes of Morse code. His work focuses on elegant minimalism and cleanliness of line and shape, creating a timeless aesthetic. His art also draws from studies of ancient cultures in Italy and Greece, including columns that symbolize humanity’s passage through time. His choice of materials reflects, absorbs, or blends with the surroundings and creates a tension between timelessness and the present moment. The changing environment, time of day, and each viewer combine to create an entirely new viewing experience; the sculpture forever responds to its current reality. Miles’ large-scale works are prominently featured in many permanent and private collections throughout the United States, Europe, and South America including University of Kansas’ Spencer Museum, Evansville Museum, Polk Museum of Art, Disney Corporate Headquarters, the California cities of Cerritos and Napa, and Western Kentucky University, among others.