‘Focus’ exhibition unveils new work from sculptor Dale Evers
The exhibit is the unveiling of a body of work that represents the results of what Evers states erupted from the “vexing crossroad of mediocrity and excellence” that he encountered in 2010. Photos by Jackie Iddings.
Evers said new work resulted from a ‘vexing crossroad’
–“Focus: The Exhibition” is now open at the Dale Evers Design Studio on Park Street in Paso Robles. The exhibit is the unveiling of a body of work that represents the results of what Evers says erupted from the “vexing crossroad of mediocrity and excellence” that he encountered in 2010. Evers says he is very pleased with the turnout and interest in the opening. The studio opening was Dec. 5, followed by a special viewing of Evers work at Sculptera Winery on Dec. 6. “It may have been one of my more successful openings,” says Evers.
Evers says that his piece, “Defiant Jonah,” is a good example of complacency. “He was given a job, to bring all the people of Nineveh to God, and he did that. Then he was swallowed by the fish and had to be forcibly ejected so that he would get on with what he was supposed to be doing. That is what happens to us, we become complacent no matter how uncomfortable life is.”
At the beginning of 2010 Dale Evers made the choice to change his artistic direction. Already a well known sculptor with an international reputation, Evers says he had been restless with his art for a number of years, wanting to do “something much greater.” Evers had started working on a long held image of a human arrow being launched from a bow. Evers named the new sculpture “Focus” because in order to bring it to life, Evers realized he needed to focus. “Focus” became the breakthrough piece for the artist’s new direction.
In the 1990s, Evers owned and operated the New Bronze Age foundry in Morro Bay. “I had around 14 employees. We became a factory working to meet supply and demand,” says Evers. “Owning that foundry was one of the best things that ever happened to me because it put me on the trajectory to be who I wanted to be as an artist.” Evers continued to create and produce the marine life sculptures that had built his early reputation, but began to realize that he was no longer in it for art.
In 2010, at that “vexing crossroads,” Evers started looking for some place outside of the US to explore a richer artistic direction. “That’s how I found Francisco Quiroz in Zapopan near Guadalajara, Mexico. That time totally changed my life,” says Evers.
Evers stands next to his sculpture, “Mega Focus,” which is on display at Sculpterra Winery.
Quiroz came to play a greater role than just teacher in Evers life. “He was part of my healing. He is my guru,” says Evers. “I was only there a few days and he told me the next seven weeks my life will change forever, and it did. I wanted something greater and I got it. He pushed me into some esoteric works. Francisco is a very important part of my life.”
Evidence of this new direction for Evers is apparent in the work in the current exhibit. “Focus” the keystone piece of the exhibit, represents what Evers calls the “Arc of faith.” The human arrow has no eyeballs nor ears, but is nevertheless focused on what lies ahead. Evers says that it takes faith to “trust what we can’t see or hear.” The birds on the bow represent the long vision that is too far for humans to see. The original 25-foot bronze, forged in Zapopan, Mexico, was unveiled and installed at Sculptera Winery in 2014. Smaller, limited editions of “Focus” are in the exhibit at the Dale Evers Design Studio.
The exhibition is a rich representation of life conditions in iconic forms. “Defiant Jonah” represents complacency in life. “First thing we do when we start settling in,” says Evers, “is gild the fish and put up a canopy.” The sculpture is a fish containing Jonah as a skeleton, sitting under a canopy made from the side of the fish. Evers says Jonah is a good example of complacency. “He was given a job, to bring all the people of Nineveh to God, and he did that. Then he was swallowed by the fish and had to be forcibly ejected so that he would get on with what he was supposed to be doing. That is what happens to us, we become complacent no matter how uncomfortable life is.”
The exhbition is open until further notice at the Dale Evers Design Studio at 1000 Park Street. For showroom hours visit the website or call (805) 434-9237.
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