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November Issue 2005
Tradition Through Art by Sculptor Sandy Scott at The Gallery at Palmetto Bluff in Bluffton, SC
by Linda Rorer
Most mornings when I open the gallery, I do
a walk-around of our outdoor bronzes. The Gallery at Palmetto
Bluff (a Morris-Whiteside gallery) faces the charming square overlooking
the dock and barrier islands on the beautiful May River in Bluffton,
SC. Stately lowcountry oaks dripping Spanish moss and resurrection
fern provide this amazing setting for outdoor art.
Yesterday, I laughed to myself as I noticed the rocking chair
pulled up close to the head of Sandy Scott's Eat More Beef
Monument Pig. More people have been having their photograph
made next to the pig.
Over the last several months I have watched this bronze boar be
photographed, painted and petted. Daily he is hugged and kissed
by little girls in pink dresses and grandmothers. Boys of all
ages, 2 to 80 have climbed and leaned, laughed and told their
own pig stories. They pet and talk to the bronze pig as if waiting
for a response from this handsome fellow.
It has been wonderful to watch a piece of art at work. Colorado artist Sandy Scott is one of the premiere "animalist" sculptors. The animalia tradition had it's start as an art movement in early 19th century France. Before this time animals were mainly used as metaphor in art. Scott is only the third generation of women sculptors in this expressive tradition.
Known locally as "Il Porcellino" (The Little Pig) stands in the Straw Market in Florence, Italy - his nose shiny through centuries of being rubbed by people for good luck. In fact, "The Little Pig's" nose has been rubbed so many times the snout has had to be replaced several times. This tradition of nose rubbing will also bring you back to Florence.
We had a small, special edition of Eat More Beef inside the gallery. I had been noticing of the over twenty other bronzes, nine out of ten viewers were going straight to the little pig. I had been thinking to name him "Buddha Pig", as his nose and ears were becoming shiny from petting. What is it about these pigs?
At one point on Saturday I looked up from my desk and three people were standing around the little pig, seated on his sculpture stand, talking about him. Each person had their hand out, all touching the pig.
Late afternoon, just before closing, a woman
who had seen the little pig and heard his stories that morning
brought her husband back to the gallery. We wrapped the little
pig in bubble wrap. He has a home now, in Connecticut. His name
is "Wilbur" and he is by the door, where everyone entering
will rub his nose - ensuring good luck, happiness and health.
In our modern, transient world, traditions die daily. Palmetto
Bluff is new, but we now have a tradition, brought to us by art.
Sandy Scott is our featured sculptor at The Gallery at Palmetto
Bluff for Nov. 2005.
For further information check our SC Commercial Galllery listing or cal Linda Rorer, Gallery Director at 843/706-5999.
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Copyright© 2005 by PSMG, Inc., which published Charleston
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