Artist and sculptor Thomas Sturgill was the featured artist in Monday night’s Hutcheson Gallery Exhibit, which displayed a variety of his unconventional paintings and sculptures.
The John C. Hutcheson Gallery in the James D. Hughes Center opened fall 2010. Curated by Lipscomb art department faculty, the Hutcheson Gallery features a variety of exhibitions each semester.
Sturgill used humor and a creative edge with his unique works, which included sculptured pieces displayed as a two-foot wide ball of multi-colored karate belts, a three-foot long group of over 600 discarded trophies, 50 basketballs with random inscribed names and a self-portrait composed entirely of action figures and accessories.
Sturgill, who refers to his work as “individual experiments,” graduated with his BFA in sculpture in 2002 from the University of Tennessee, his MFA in 2006 from Carnegie Mellon University and has been teaching at MTSU in the Foundations department for 10 years.
Sturgill currently works as a lecturer at Middle Tennessee State University and credits his inspiration to his parents, whom he says have made a practice of never throwing anything away.
“My childhood stuff is still in their home; they don’t change,” he said.
Before the art exhibit, Sturgill gave a lecture to the crowd and explained his background. He gave insight into his artistic choices and answered any questions the audience had.
Sturgill said that in order to create his works, he browses through thrift stores and Goodwill bins looking for things that no one would buy. He found himself originally drawn to collecting old trophies and awards.
“I enjoy creating situations out of objects that are as interesting to me as the actual objects are.”
Sturgill refers to his intense desire to collect thrown away items as somewhat of an obsession.
“It’s something I have to do,” he said. “I’m constantly making stuff – good or bad, week in and week out. I do this but I constantly hate it.
“I have a compulsion to constantly make stuff. Any compulsion has a negative aspect to it. I want to get rid of it sometimes. I struggle with it a bit.”
For those who are interested, Sturgill posts his latest projects on his website.
“Being an artist is an excellent way of thinking,” Sturgill said. “It teaches you to think in ways that are non-traditional, explore things differently. My son could be an engineer and still be an artist.”
For more information about upcoming exhibitions, visit the “About” page on the gallery’s website. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Admission is free to the public.