About the Artist
Known for his contemporary work in stone and metal, Christopher Curtis has been creating sculpture for more than fifty years. His affection for stone started as a young boy collecting rocks in the woods of Vermont. Over the decades, his fascination expanded from pebbles to cobbles to large boulders. Curtis claims to have looked at literally millions of stones, collected multiple thousands, and discarded nearly as many, which has honed his discerning focus on shape as well as material.
As an avid rock climber in his youth, Curtis developed a highly tactile understanding of stone as a medium. That passion, coupled with his ongoing interest in geology and astronomy, fueled his close observation of the natural world and stars, both of which inform his art.
Curtis attributes much of his artistic approach to his mentor, Professor Paul Aschenbach, during his formal art training at the University of Vermont in the 1970s. Aschenbach insisted his students become proficient in a wide variety of media and promoted the use of stone, a plentiful Vermont resource.
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Curtis has an affinity for raw stone, preferring to use natural boulders over quarried stone. His sculpture frequently starts with a specific boulder that brings forth an idea. “Finding raw material in situ is an important part of my practice”, says Curtis. “I am a lover of the natural world and spend as much time outdoors as possible. I am constantly on the lookout for beautiful stone while trekking throughout New England.”
Often contemplative, his art enhances the original form to focus the observer. His sculpture invites the viewer to see the world from a new vantage point, often directing their vision through negative space which he has created in the original form.
Curtis frequently fuses stone and metal in his artwork, creating a synergistic relationship between the two disparate materials – natural and manmade, ancient and modern. This tension between form and time is fundamental to his aesthetic as an artist.
Most recently, Curtis has been creating large works in stainless and Corten steel. They range from the completely abstract to others, which, in their abstraction, present the essence of human interactions. His sculptures depicting abstract anthropomorphic figures hint at the intimate connection of couples or friends.
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I am interested in the peculiar intersection of the past and the future. Cross-cultural and time-independent archetypes are universal symbols that capture and express this phenomenon in the present. My work is about expressing these eternal truths in physical form. As time stretches on, I am also acutely aware of the future.
In my work with stone, I begin not with quarried blocks but prefer raw stones as they are found in nature. Each one, with its time-honed patina, tells a story of a very long personal past. They pass through the present very quickly and, with altered identities, continue their journeys into an unimaginably long future.
For example, “Message from the Future” is made from Cheshire Quartzite, a very hard and durable stone formed some 540 million years ago. It became a standing stone, following in the longest tradition of megalithic sculpture. Pierced by a single four-foot, polished, round void, the sculpture exploits the circle, perhaps the oldest and most prevalent of archetypes. It is easy to imagine some distant future culture relating to the iconic shape of this ancient artifact.
My sculptures in metal address similar concepts in a different material and from a different viewpoint. Many of my works in metal express universal and timeless emotions between people. Using stainless steel or bronze, two permanent and timeless materials, I seek forms that resonate with beauty and emotion.
My sculptures, born from the quintessential forms of the past, speak their universal language to us in the present and will carry these uniquely human feelings into the distant future.
As Robert Motherwell famously observed – the function of the artist is to express reality as felt. I am acutely aware of the rapid changes we are experiencing in our world, and my observations and feelings about the world are changing at the same rate. I see my work reflecting those changes. I suppose that’s why I keep exploring and what keeps the work fresh for me.
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Barre Studio – Stone Carving Capabilities
Although natural stone is a logical and economical medium, Curtis was initially resistant to stone carving because it can be excessively slow. However, he gradually came to embrace stone as a medium and in 2004 established an industrial-size stone-cutting studio in Barre, VT. This massive facility enabled him to shift his focus to large stone sculptures.
The Barre studio houses a 15 ft. high computerized stone cutting saw and a 35-ton bridge crane. This industrial equipment enables him to work with large boulders and granite blocks to create sculptures of significant weight and gravitas. The studio also includes CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machines with capabilities to guide precise cuts in stone over longer periods of time, sometimes exceeding 24 hours.
Duxbury Studio – Digital Design Space for Metal Work
In August of 2023, Curtis opened a studio in an historic mill he renovated in Duxbury, VT. The new studio is situated by a cascading waterfall and was purposefully designed to provide a contemplative space for creating new work.
Over the past decade, Curtis has developed a keen interest in digitally assisted art making. The Duxbury studio is equipped with computers, 3-D printer, wood shop space, metal working and welding equipment. Using these new and old-world techniques he can design metal sculpture of any size.
Curtis often utilizes CAD (Computer Aided Design) enabling him to envision design options prior to fabrication of any size work. In addition to creating 3-D print models and maquettes, he can insert digital CAD models into a virtual reality environment enabling clients to experience a sculpture in full-size. For example, a 20 ft sculpture can be experienced within the confines of his 9ft high studio ceiling space. These digital methods have enabled Curtis to scale his work to any size and design monumental sculptures in metal that were previously impossible.
“Working with CAD has given me the means to sketch out designs on the computer, explore variations, make changes and translate them into 3-D printed models,” says Curtis. “Sketching on paper doesn’t allow the same ease of creating multiple versions of a design. Much like sculpting in clay, CAD allows me the ability to observe a sculpture from all angles. But unlike clay, I can create literally hundreds of nuanced iterations of a design until it suits my vision. The CAD software allows for the creation and adjustment of complicated curves. I can easily spend hours on those tiny changes; it can be arduous but ultimately is very rewarding.”
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Delivering and installing a sculpture can feel like a daunting task to many clients. It doesn’t have to be. We’ve worked with a wide range of clients with varying needs over the years. Each installation is unique and we have become experts in navigating any challenges that may arise. We manage delivery and installation every step of the way, customizing it to your needs and making the process as smooth and painless as possible for you.
Feel free to contact us about the delivery and installation of a sculpture by filling out the form HERE or giving us a call at 802.498.3566
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Works by Christopher Curtis are in more than 250 public and private works throughout New England and the United States.
Among his sculptures on public view are works at the Tulsa Botanic Gardens, Tulsa, OK; the Appleton Museum, Ocala, FL; Lemon Fair Sculpture Park, Shoreham, VT; United States Federal Reserve Bank, Washington, DC; University of Arkansas, Little Rock, AR; and State of Vermont Public Art Collection, Montpelier, VT, and the U.S. Embassy, Copenhagen, Denmark.
2018
Tulsa Botanic Garden, Tulsa, OK
2016
University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, "Unlocked"
2014
Champlain College, Burlington, VT, "Audeamus"
2013
Stowe Land Trust, Stowe, Vermont
2012
Appleton Museum, Permanent Collection, Ocala, FL, “Exit Strategy”
National Ski patrol 75th Anniversary Commemorative Sculpture
2010
United States Federal Reserve, Washington, D.C, “Arch Bench”
Stowe Medical Center, Stowe, VT “Balance”
2009
Stowe Elementary School, Stowe, VT
2008
Stowe Mountain Resort, Stowe, VT, “Spa Feature”
Retail/Residence Tower, Boston, MA “Avenir Fountain”
State of Vermont Permanent Collection, Montpelier, VT, “Keeping Heart” Sculpture
SUNY Upstate University Hospital, Syracuse, NY
Friar Architectual Associates, Farmington, CT
2007
Phoenix, AZ, Two “Canterbury Wellness” Fountains
Red Rock Casino, Las Vegas, NV, “Noguchi Table”
Reservoir Woods, Waltham, MA, “A Piece of Hope”
Vermont State Sculpture Garden Arts Council, Montpelier, VT
2005
New York State Union of Teachers, Albany, NY, “NYSUT Fountain”
2004
Vermont Ski Museum, Stowe, VT Custom Stone Benches
North Country Animal League, Morrisville, VT “NCAL Bench”
2003
Healthcare Facility, Virginia Beach, VA, “Mind/Heart/Spirit Fountain”
Main Street Landing Company, Burlington, VT, “Venus”
Country Club of Vermont, Waterbury Center, VT, Suite of PIeces
Donald Zucker Company, New York, NY, “Elizabeth Street Fountain”
Stoweflake Resort and Spa, Stowe, VT, “Spa Fountain”
Duffy Design Group, Boston, MA, “Duffy Fountain”
2000
Harwood High School, Moretown, Vermont, “Abajian Bench”
Helen Day Library, Stowe, VT, “Robison Memorial”
Emerson Hospital, Concord, MA, “Burke Memorial Fountain”
City of Burlington, VT, Central Maintenance Facility Sculpture
Retrovest Companies, Burlington, VT, “Retrovest Fountain”
Manhattan Skyline Management, New York, NY
1999
University of Arkansas Medical School, Little Rock, Arkansas, “Nicholson Memorial Fountain”
Sanity Store, Philadelphia, PA, “Sanity Fountain”
Town of Stowe, VT “David Kneale Memorial”
1998
Otter Creek Brewing, Middlebury, Vermont
Donald Zucker Company, New York, NY
1997
U.S. EMBASSY, Copenhagen, Denmark
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2022
Willow Island Sculpture Garden, Canton, NY
Sculpture Tour Collaborative Exhibit:
Five-state Touring Exhibit of “That Place in the Stars”A touring exhibit in collaboration with seven sponsors that showcased “That Place in the Stars” in Spring 2022. The touring exhibit traveled more than 1,500 miles appearing in public spaces over several weeks across Vermont, New York, Ohio, Missouri, and Oklahoma.
The Current at Trapp Family Lodge, Stowe, VT
PrattMWP, Utica, NY
The Yards, Rochester Public Market, NY
The Wade Oval, Cleveland, OH
The Cincinnati Observatory, Cincinnati, OH
Malcolm Martin Park, St. Louis, MO
Philbrook Museum, Tulsa,OK
2021
Hindsight 2020 Kent Museum, Calais, VT
EXPOSED! The Current, Stowe, VT
Highland Center for the Arts, Greensboro, VT
SculptureNow, The Mount, Lenox, MA
Rock Solid, Studio Place Arts, Barre, VT
Willow Island Sculpture Garden, Canton, NY
Meredith Sculpture Walk, Meredith NH
2020
Hindsight 2020 Kent Museum Calais, VT
HCFA Open Air Gallery, Greensboro, VT
EXPOSED! Helen Day Arts Center, Stowe, VT
Willow Island Sculpture Garden Canton, NY
2019
EXPOSED! Helen Day Arts Center, Stowe, VT
Rock Solid SPA Barre, VT
Meredith Sculpture Walk, Meredith, NH
2018
Solo show, Tulsa Botanic Garden, Lifting the Landscape, Tulsa, OK
StART Space, Manchester, VT
2017
EXPOSED! Helen Day Arts Center, Stowe, VT
SCULPTURENOW, Lenox, MA
2016
EXPOSED! Helen Day Arts Center, Stowe, VT
West Branch Gallery & Sculpture Park, Stowe, VT
Willow Walk Exhibition, Burlington, NC
2015
Sculpture Visions, Chapel Hill, NC
EXPOSED! Helen Day Arts Center, Stowe, VT
West Branch Gallery & Sculpture Park, Stowe, VT
2014
STONE.GLASS.WOOD, West Branch Gallery & Sculpture Park, Stowe, VT
2013
Burlington City Arts, “Of Land and Local”, The Carving Studio and Sculpture Center, West Rutland, VT
EXPOSED! Helen Day Arts Center, Stowe, VT
West Branch Gallery & Sculpture Park, Stowe, VT
2012
EXPOSED! Helen Day Arts Center, Stowe, VT
West Branch Gallery & Sculpture Park, Stowe, VT
2011
Vermont Arts Council Sculpture Garden, Montpelier, VT
Kevin Barry Fine Art, Los Angeles, CA
EXPOSED! Helen Day Arts Center, Stowe, VT
Fruitlands Museum, Harvard, MA “Art in Nature”
Bryan Memorial Gallery, Jeffersonville, VT “Family Ties”
West Branch Gallery & Sculpture Park, Stowe, VT
2010
Vermont Arts Council Sculpture Garden, Montpelier, VT
Kevin Barry Fine Art, Los Angeles, CA
EXPOSED! Helen Day Arts Center, Stowe, VT
West Branch Gallery & Sculpture Park, Stowe, VT
2009
Vermont Arts Council Sculpture Garden, Montpelier, VT
West Branch Gallery & Sculpture Park, Stowe, VT
2008
EXPOSED! Helen Day Arts Center, Stowe, VT
West Branch Gallery & Sculpture Park, Stowe, VT
Studio Place Arts, Barre, VT, “Rock Solid”
2007
West Branch Gallery & Sculpture Park, Stowe, VT “Objects of Contemplation” Two-Person Exhibition
West Branch Gallery & Sculpture Park, Stowe, VT “Live Earth”
Stowe Country Club, Stowe, VT, “Art of Course”
EXPOSED! Helen Day Arts Center, Stowe, VT
2006
Shelburne Art Center, Shelburne, VT, “On the Green”
Helen Day Art Center, Stowe, VT “Harmony & Line: Artists Then & Now” Curated by Ginny Neel & Elinor Earle
West Branch Gallery & Sculpture Park, Stowe, VT “New Artists/New Works”
Studio Place Arts, Barre, VT “Rock Solid”
New England Wildflower Society, Garden of the Woods, Framingham, MA, “Rock On!”
EXPOSED! Helen Day Arts Center, Stowe, VT
2005
The Carving Studio and Sculpture Center, West Rutland, VT, “SculptFest 2005”
2003
South End Arts and Business Association, South Burlington, VT
EXPOSED! Helen Day Arts Center, Stowe, VT
2002
Studio Place Arts, Barre, VT
L’Attitude Gallery, Boston, MA
EXPOSED! Helen Day Arts Center, Stowe, VT
2001
Clarke Galleries, Stowe, VT
Studio Place Arts, Barre, VT “Stone: A Survey of Contemporary Stone Sculpture”
EXPOSED! Helen Day Arts Center, Stowe, VT
2000
EXPOSED! Helen Day Arts Center, Stowe, VT
1998
EXPOSED! Helen Day Arts Center, Stowe, VT
Wood Art Gallery, Montpelier, VT, “Mystery in Stone”
1997
Solo Exhibition, Southern Vermont Arts Center, Manchester Center, VT
1996
EXPOSED! Helen Day Arts Center, Stowe, VT
Chaffee Gallery
Galerie des Hamptons, West Hampton, NY
1995
“For Art’s Sake”, Burlington, VT
1994
EXPOSED!, Curator and Exhibitor, Helen Day Arts Center, Stowe, VT Helen Day Art Center, Stowe, VT
Kristal Gallery, Warren, VT
Stowe Artists, Helen Day Art Center, Stowe, VT
1993
Kristal Gallery “In Honour of Jim Jeffords”
West Branch Sculpture Park, Stowe, VT, “Parallel Sentiments”
Kristal Gallery, “Vermont Sculpture at its Best”
1992
Vermont Sculpture Outside, Helen Day Art Center, Stowe, VT
1990
Kristal Gallery, “Seven Vermont Sculptors”
1989
Helen Day Art Center, “Art On and Off the Wall”
1987
Helen Day Art Center, Stowe, VT “Art in Vermont”
1985
Solo Exhibition, Francis Colburn Gallery
1984
Francis Colburn Gallery