Jim Ford’s Historical Realism
Last weekend during the visit of Natasha’s father from England we had the opportunity to visit the bronze foundry of Shidoni in Tesuque, NM just North of Santa Fe. A great deal of Santa Fe artists are present at this establishment producing casts of molten metal to create their exceptional bronze sculptures.
While viewing their sculptures I could not but help thinking of another artist whose capability to give motion and feeling to the inanimate out-shined many of the works we were viewing at Shidoni Foundry that day. I would say that his themes surround the concept of Historical Realism, so do not expect any abstract or modern art in his bronzes. His name is Jim Ford. He signs his work James Ford and can be seen at www.jamesaford.com
His works are a collection of America’s native past showing elements of American Indian culture and their early contacts with Europeans. As James Ford puts it:
“All of my work has its nascent beginnings in the pages of some book I have been reading, if not a specific person then a composite of many characters to give the sculpture an overall theme of the period I’ve been reading. Once I have determined the subject matter then each sculpture matures through a process that combines the love I have for the figure, pose and ethnic diversity.”
When you get a chance take a look at his works at JamesaFord.com