Overview of Frederick Hart

By: Brian Freeman

There have been many great American sculpture artists in the last twentieth century. These artists, with names like Samuel Yellin, Richard Serra, and John Henry Waddell, brought the revival of figurative sculpture back to America. However, there is one great twentieth century American sculpture artist, whom, by himself, created a new medium of artwork - Frederick Hart. Frederick Hart, born in Atlanta, Georgia but raised in South Carolina is a sculpture artist who’s work is known for being figurative, neo-Victorian, and light capturing. His art does not fit in the "mainstream art world" which is dominated by non-traditional movements such as Pop art. Hart's figurative sculpture is out of the fashion, but Hart's heroic and religious style has gained him fame and monumental respect.

Some of Frederick Hart’s most widely known and famous works include several American National Monuments. The most famous piece is bronze statue The Three Soldiers located at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. This sculpture depicts three soldiers facing the Vietnam Memorial wall. Hart describes his work by saying, “I place these figures upon the shore of that sea, gazing upon it (the memorial wall), standing vigil before it, reflecting the human face of it, the human heart. The portrayal of the figures is consistent with history. They wear the uniform and carry the equipment of war; they are young.” The second most famous of Hart's work is The Creation located at Washington National Cathedral also in Washington, D.C. Made from Indiana limestone The Creation took Hart thirteen years to complete and is said by Hart to depict a "seething cauldron of swirling motion of human forms emerging - hands, faces, bodies - swept up in the exultation of being given life."

Hart's more intimate works of art are his clear acrylic sculptures. Hart pioneered the use of acrylics in figurative sculpture, a technique which he calls "sculpting with light." This new medium of artwork is the complete creation of Hart. The process in which Hart does his acrylic work has numerous United States patents. These acrylic sculptures of light are truly inventive and revolutionary. The figures are classic while his medium of clear acrylic is modern and technologically advanced. The Harts most famous acrylic piece is the The Cross of the Millennium. In The Cross of the Millennium Hart depicts a Christ figure embedded and seen rising through the faceted star of Bethlehem. In May, 1997 Hart followed the tradition of the great Renaissance and baroque masters who have presented works to the Pope for over 1000 years. Hart meeting Pope John Paul II at a private ceremony in the Papal study in Rome presented The Cross of the Millennium to Pope John Paul II in celebration of the coming 2000 year anniversary of Christ's birth. Pope John Paul II later proclaimed, "This work represents a profound theological statement for our day."

Frederick Hart was truly talented artist who worked in stone, bronze, marble and clear acrylic. Sadly at age fifty six Frederick Hart died of a heart attack. However, the body of work he has created over more than twenty years heralds a new age for contemporary art. Harts creation of art and a new form of medium for new artist to explorer is legacy which will not be forgotten. Frederick Hart is survived by Lindy Hart and they are the parents of two sons, Lain and Alexander.

www.frederickhart.com/

www.lahainagalleries.com/frederick_hart.htm

www.cfmgallery.com/artists/Hart/