Page 27 - CA 2019 Final(3)

But what sets this gallery apart are the bronze sculptures by gallery own-
er Jud Hartmann. The monumental bronze out front is an invitation to en-
ter and view more than 75 bronze sculptures inside as well as a work in
progress. The majority of the bronzes comprise a series entitled: “The
Woodland Tribes of the Northeast – the Iroquoians and the Algonkians.”
Unlike the countless bronzes depicting images of the American West, this
series represents, for the first time in sculpture, an exploration of the Eas-
tern Tribes. It is far and away the most in-depth portrayal of this subject
ever done. Accompanying each sculpture is a plaque printed on plexiglass
which gives the viewer historical insight into the sculpture, thereby offer-
ing another dimension to appreciate what they are seeing. These labels re-
flect a small part of the exhaustive research by the artist into mostly pri-
mary sources from the 16th to early 19th century by French, Dutch, and En-
glish observers as well as the oral histories and traditions of the Native
people and their descendants. This virtually inexhaustible wealth of ma-
terial is the foundation for all the sculptures. For Hartmann, it has been
like discovering a whole forgotten world. It is this world that he invites
you to come and explore. It is his hope to bring the world to life for others
as it has come to life for him.

Photo at left: the bust of “Guyasuta,” courtesy of the artist, Jud Hartmann.

On display near the front of the gallery, printed and
framed, are a few lines, (paraphrased and condensed to its
essence) from the writings of a Chinese painter, poet,
philosopher and landscape architect from China’s golden
age, the Tang Dynasty. These words resonated with Jud
from the instant he first read them nearly 40 years ago.:

There are seven steps to becoming a great artist... these first
six steps can be taught and they can be learned, but to be-
come a great artist one must master the seventh step. The
seventh step cannot be taught and it cannot be learned. It
is a gift from Heaven: the ability to impart life!
Wang Wei (699-759)

Jud Hartmann is striving to master the seventh step.

The gallery is located at 79 Main St., Blue Hill,
and is open mid-June to mid-September.

For additional information please see:
www.judhartmanngallery.com
Hartmann@midmaine.com
(207) 461-5307
(207) 460-2143

Photo at right:
14’ sculpture of a lacrosse player entitled “He Who Is Without Equal.”
courtesy of the artist, Jud Hartmann

Gallery photo on the previous page,
also courtesy of Jud Hartmann.
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