Artist Ralph Páquin creates flowing, evocative organomorphic forms. Enjoy, and visit his website to see more of his art.
“Morpheus“ Conte on Cast Polymer Media with Lacquer, 61”h x 24”w x 34”d
I was born early to teenage parents in Newport, Rhode Island. My father was a hard-working “old school” auto mechanic. My mother became a nurse to support my sister and me after she left my father. We moved from Rhode Island to California, to Nebraska, back to Rhode Island, down to Virginia, and finally to Florida.
“Brancusi’s Gene“ Polished Polymer Media, 40”h x 18”w x 18”d
After high school, I moved back to Rhode Island, and attended the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth for a BFA in Sculpture. I then earned a MFA in Ceramics from Cranbrook Academy of the Arts. Over the next ten years, I owned a decorative painting business and set up a studio in North Dartmouth, Massachusetts.
“Era End“ Pigmented Gypsum Composite and Polished Polymer Media, 70”h x 55”w x 22.5”d
I got married and had two children, along with building and running a non-profit community art center. Meanwhile, I collaborated on performance/installations at MIT-Media Lab, Boston Center for the Arts, Ohio State University, and Artists Space in New York City. In 1994 we moved to find better employment opportunities, and in 1998 I began teaching art at Presbyterian College in South Carolina where I continue to teach sculpture and drawing.
“Muscle Knot“ Conte on Cast Polymer Media with Lacquer, 46”h x 20”w x 16”d
I have since gotten divorced, and been fortunate enough to find, without looking, a life partner who encourages me to pursue my art career. My days are tightly balanced between my own studio work, art business, and teaching.
Artist Ralph Páquin working in his studio with his cat, Gibbs, on “Muscle Knot”
No matter the medium, my approach and art-making techniques have always been to push the boundaries of thought and perception through inventive forms, concepts, and materials.
“Diva Code“ Cast and Polished Polymer Media with Metal and Resin, 73”h x 28”w x 28”d
Meaningful play is an ongoing goal for me, but I also think that purpose is important. I suppose that my art, and my life’s purpose, is to create visual poetry that connects universal energies. These energies are not easy to visualize, vocalize, or comprehend, but are consistently felt.
Artist Ralph Páquin working in his studio on “Love Knot”
My work is also a spiritual endeavor. I was raised in a devoutly religious household, but I never felt a spiritual connection in a “religious” way until I discovered how it felt to create art. The act of creating art enlightened me. Art is spiritual; it connects me to the universe, and to its energies that are otherwise unapparent.
“Gaia” Ceramic with Pigmented Gypsum and Resin, 41.5”h x 19”w x 12”d
Once we finish renovating my new studio, which is a 10,000 square foot historic warehouse, I have ideas for paintings/drawings on large constructed panels. Others are unresolved mixed-media sculptures, and still others are larger sculptures that will be part of my current series entitled “Genes & Chromosomes,” which consists of my ever evolving organomorphic energy forms.
“Gold Chromosome“ Chromed Ceramic, 24”h x 34”w x 20”d
I am at the point in my artistic career where each work of art becomes an inspiration for the next, so I am mostly motivated by the ongoing process of making artworks. I think it is important for artists to continually sift through new information, which may or may not then filter its way into their art.
Artist Ralph Páquin working on a new sculpture
I enjoy a wide array of topics, some of which include: the natural sciences, astronomy, the human condition, and topics pertaining to the origin of life.
Artist Ralph Páquin invites you to follow him on Facebook and Instagram.
What beautiful and amazing sculptures!