"Ode to Russ" Sculpture

As an Award winning sculptor my works are prominently displayed in private collections and public venues throughout North and South America. The more, avant garde statements that are made in the mixture of neon, led lights, metal, fused glass and stone media to elicit an excitement that occurs when the artist takes a quantum leap toward ingenuity. Whether realistic or abstract, the viewer's tactile senses are aroused with almost a sense of urgency to explore each form in greater depth than just visually. Born in New Jersey, Have spent most of my life on the Eastern coast of the U.S. Having an inherent artistic gift, I began sculpting in a primitive way at the age of five. Much of my schooling concentrated on the sciences. I received my Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology from C.W. Post College in 1967 where I also minored in sculpture. It was during these studies here that famed sculptor and professor, Alfred Van Loen, recognized my talent. After college I then completed four years at Temple University where I graduated with the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery in 1971. I traveled throughout the world at which time I acquired much knowledge about how and where various stones were quarried and how various civilizations had used them creatively throughout the centuries. Soon after my travels, I relocated to South Florida, which has remained my residence since 1972. I practiced general and cosmetic dentistry in the Ft Lauderdale area from 1972 to 2006 creating a dual career, dentistry and sculpture. Early on in my sculpting career, I worked under the same roof as famed sculptor Enzo Gallo. From a period of over the fifty years I have exhibited in many shows and has won over seventy awards and recognitions and have completed over six hundred works of art. My works are in private and corporate collections in North and South America. While in Ft. Lauderdale I owned an Art Gallery (Gallery 421) and created my works in my studio in Ft Lauderdale for over thirty years.. Some of my commissions include Saks FifthAve in New York and Michiagan as well as Temple Emanuel in Ft Lauderdale Florida In July ‘07 I relocated to Naples and has since the opened a studio and showroom located at the Artisan’s Plaza 5670 Shirley St in Naples, FL. Gallery representation : Gallery on Fifth, Mercato, North Naples, FL East West Fine Art,Naples,Fl Joel Shapses Sculpture Gallery, Naples,Fl