Meet Vince Gedgaudas . . .

by Rick McCluskey

Photography courtesy of Joe Barr

One of the first things I noticed about Vince Gedgaudas’ sculptures was that they didn’t have faces. Not one of them. The heads were a radical departure from the norm, looking more a futuristic impression of some terrestrial visitor rather than a human. Still, I found them fascinating and wanted to know more. I couldn’t get over how they complimented his amazing attention to detail.

“It’s interpretive. I sculpture a thought.”

I found that concept profoundly confusing. Not by what he meant, but how he did it. And as I studied each piece, marveling at the details, I found myself still wondering why as I unconsciously added facial features engendered by jutting jaws, snagging shoulders or caressing arms.

“Miss a face and the whole imagery is lost. A nose may be too long. The eyes angled wrong. But if I tilt the head just so, it’s suggestive and you will respond to what you feel.”

I nodded absently, still enthralled by the beauty of his creations, as he pounded his fists into a nearby fifty-pound block of clay. I liked the idea of becoming a part of his artwork, adding my own interpretation.

“The inspiration for this one came from the song DIG, by Incubus. A verse about the better part of me started me thinking and I came up with an idea.”
Forty-five minutes later, the indistinct block of clay had transformed into two figures, one male one female. It was still to early to distinguish details (at least for me, I’m a writer, not an artist), yet I sensed a certain beauty working its way to the surface as he massaged the clay.

“Ever get stuck?” I asked as he pulled off hunks of clay and dropped them into a plastic bag. I was thinking of writer’s block and wondering if artist suffered the same malady.
“Nope. When that happens I just close my eyes and let go. My hands see what the eyes miss. It works every time.”
Early in his career, there was a time when nothing worked. “I just ran out of ideas. I quit every thing, even the sketching. I went for six or seven years until around 2002 when I started having the urge again. I bought a bunch of equipment and set up shop in my apartment. Actually turned my room into a studio. Then I started going to Kenosha Art Association and found a passion for sculpturing. I’ve been coming here ever since.”

The proof of his passion is on his Website at myspace.com/pencilnbrush. There are dozens and dozens of photos of his work. In addition to many of his sculptures, you’ll find his paintings and pencil sketches, which are just as remarkable. Inspired by Georgia O’Keeffe, several are absolutely exquisite. Every line has a purpose, every shadow a reason. In the whole of his artwork, nothing is wasted, it tells a story.

Several pieces of his work are currently on display at 716 on the southeast corner of 4th St and Main in Racine, but you better hurry. They’re selling. So much that David Geisler, owner of 716, is planning an individual showing in the near future.
Additionally, Vince and fellow artist, Brigitta Richter of Kenosha (wunderbarart.com), are planning a joint show at the Pollard Gallery in Kenosha sometime in September 2008. “Her work compliments mine and vice versa. She an excellent artist and has helped me. We’ll each have several sculptures and paintings on display. It should be a great show.”

I’m sure it will. And as I put the final touches to this interview, its funny how his work sticks in my mind. I can still see the details of muscles, the delicate curve in the small of a woman’s back and the flawless beauty of those faceless heads. It is an art and his is remarkable.