ARTIST'S STATEMENT
The forms in my sculpture are often derived from the garden: calyx, shell and leaf forms, and from natural history: human anatomy, the wave movement in liquids, crystalline structure and elemental geometry. I combine these disparate forms with my love of mythology, history, architecture and art to try to create formal structures that are poised somew
here on the edge between representation and abstraction.
Back in the studio I started working with the parabolic arches and elliptical curves I found compelling in his architecture. A kind of kinetic hybridization occurred as these new forms married themselves to the organic winged figures in my previous Canopus series. Suddenly my previously static forms took flight.
A BRIEF BIOGRAPHY
Originally from Maine where he attended the University of Maine for his BFA, Mark moved to Pennsylvania in 1987 to study with Bob Engman, Neil Welliver and Maury Lowe at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Fine Arts. He graduated with a Master of Fine Arts Degree in 1990.
His work has been exhibited in the James A. Michener Museum in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, the Skowhegan Retrospective at the Maine Coast Artist Gallery in Rockport, Maine, The New Hope Sculpture Center and in many regional and local shows. One of MarkĄ¯s sculpture commissions for a private residence in Aspen, Colorado was also featured on HGTV. His work has been published in Philadelphia, Bucks County, Nouveau and several other regional magazines.
Working primarily in wax, plaster and clay for bronze casting or direct metal fabrication, Mark's sculpture is usually commissioned on a site-specific or project basis and has been produced for numerous corporate and private collections, and many residential architectural installations.
Maintaining an active and busy studio in Bucks County, Mark divides his time between his sculpture commissions, varied residential and commercial design projects, travel and a constantly expanding perennial garden.
E D U C A T I O N
University
of Pennsylvania, Graduate School of Fine Arts,
Philadelphia, PA
Master of Fine Arts 1990, Sculpture
Relevant courses include: figure study, oxy/acetylene
and TIG welding, printmaking, figure drawing, landscape
architecture, and color.
University
of Maine, Orono, ME. BA 1981,
Fine Arts, Psychology Degree with Highest Honors,
Highest Distinction
Phi Beta Kappa 1981, Phi Kappa Phi 1980.
Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture, Skowhegan, ME 1981, Langlais Scholar.
P R O F E S S I O N A L E X P E R I E N C E
Mark Pettegrow Studio
Ltd., 7412 Ferry Rd., Pt. Pleasant PA, 18950-0459.
1997 - Present
Custom sculpture, design and decorative arts company.
Private commissions include original sculpture, design,
fabrication and construction supervision for restaurants,
residences, corporations and public spaces.
Brushworks, Inc.,
New Hope, PA, 1989 - 2000
Founder and principal designer in an architectural
mural, decorative painting and custom finishing studio.
Specializing in period and original murals, trompe
l'oeil, stenciling, wall finishes and painted furniture.
University of Pennsylvania,
1988 - 1990 Graduate fellowship
Instructor. College of General Studies. Undergraduate
figure study course. Resident fellow, Gutman Center.
Resource, Inc., 1985-1988 Founder, Visual Design firm. Clients included Cole-Haan.
Filene's and Co., 1983 - 1987 Federated Department Stores. Visual merchandiser.
R E C E N T C O M M I S S I O N S
Torkelsen Residence,
Princeton, NJ. Custom carved glass, steel and bronze
staircase, 2001
Sturm Residence,
Aspen CO. Custom abstract sculpture for Great Room,
2000
AON, Affinity Insurance Services,
Custom sculpture for main entrance foyer, 2000
Panorama Restaurant, Philadelphia, PA. Interior design
including murals, fountains, relief, sculpture, stained
and carved glass, 1993 1999
James Michener Museum,
World AIDS Day Without Art installation, 1998
Murphy Residence,
New Hope, PA. Design for a custom classical pool
house including all interior finishes, stonework,
fixtures and 7 life-size bronze figures and a 120'
x 5' Doric figurative frieze for the exterior soffit.
1995-1998
Maine Coast Artist Invitational,
Maine Coast Art Gallery, Rockport, Maine 1996
Philadelphia Fish and Co. Restaurant,
Philadelphia, PA. Sculptural Installation.
Passage Series VI,
Bronze abstract, 24" x 36". Collection
of Ellis Alden, Woodside CA
Passage Series V,
Bronze abstract, 24" x 38". Collection
of Elaine Gurland, Fort Lee, NJ
Pazzo Pazzo,
Site-specific sculptural installation, 8' x 30' Morristown,
NJ 1995
Bruder Children,
Bronze portrait busts. Private collection, Gladwyne
PA, 1994, 1995, 1999
Passage Series II,
Bronze abstract, 18" x 32". Private collections,
NY, PA, 1993, 1997
Bucks County Biennial,
James Michener Museum, Doylestown, PA, 1992
James Michener Museum Sculpture
Invitational, Doylestown,
PA, 1990 - 1991
Phillips Mill Annual Juried
Exhibition, Solebury, PA.
1990,1991,1999. Patrons Prize 1990
Canopus Series XI,
Bronze abstract, 20" x 72", edition of
5. Private collections #1-3 Craig Blackman, Esq.
Philadelphia, PA; Elaine Rinaldi, Esq., Philadelphia,
PA: Campbell, Scott, Priori, LLP., Philadelphia,
PA. 1997, 1998, 1999