Aiming for the Mark © 1996

Heloise Crista: Biographical Sketch

Heloise Crista studied Applied Arts at UCLA when she discovered and read Frank Lloyd Wright's Autobiography Drawn by the warmth and beauty and spirit of his work she came to Taliesin to study his philosophy and architecture and to become part of the Taliesin Fellowship.

Unexpectedly, the following years were spent largely in dance and costume design for the Taliesin Festivals of Music and Dance. In 1956 she made a bust of Frank Lloyd Wright, her first recognized sculptural work. It was not until 1978, however, that Crista's made a decision to become a sculptor and followed her own self-made path toward that end. One may observe that Crista's sculptures show her dance training in the strong flow and movement of her cast pieces. Her arresting works reflect her thoughts and concerns, and ideas of individual evolution. Mainly of cast bronzes, her sculptures also include those made of welded Cor-ten steel and fabricated sheet metal. They are permanently exhibited at Taliesin West where they are available for sale.

call - (602) 860-2700 - ext. 331

Through a glsass darkly

Romeo and Juliet

Coming into the Present

 

Heloise Crista: Sculpture Philosophy

The principles used in organic architecture of which
Frank Lloyd Wright made us so aware are in a broad
sense applicable to all creative work, all artistic
work in general. Outside of those ideas that touch
directly on architecture, I refer to those ideas about
integrity of the work, relationship of the whole to
the part and the part to the whole, development from
within outward, simplicity of concept and composition,
scale and proportion. These ideas were instilled in me
over the years. An artist continues to learn through
hard work and experience, and eventually achieves a
measure of understanding. One's work exhibits one's
understanding; it is the "proof of the pudding".

(continued )

Mirage

(continued)

Lately, the ideas that interest me most have to do
with one's inner freedom and evolution of being.
Because these ideas are so abstract, the images for the
sculptures sometimes take much thought. As a sculpture
is developed, the idea contained in it may take on a
depth and breadth not originally in mind. This is a
good thing as it means the piece can be "read" on
multiple levels of understanding.

(continued )

Night and Day

The Door

(continued)

Once the image for a piece is in mind, I set about
doing the work of making the sculpture. However, it
cannot be merely a representation of an idea. The real
struggle comes in allowing that idea to evolve and
manifest itself in terms of art. And art, if achieved,
is something that contains all said principles put
together to produce a magical piece of individual work
that comes from an artist's soul.

(continued n)

The Door

(continued)

My inspirations come from different places: sometimes
from photography (the time lapse movement images),
from geometric forms, from the sense of movement in
dance, and from the forces of nature, i.e., wind,
fire, water, and the patterns made thereof.

Pinocchio

(continued)

I believe art should uplift the spirit, touch the
emotions directly by way of content and by way of
beauty. I strive toward that end.

"The transformation of Pinocchio into a real boy is analogous to the idea of
ordinary man becoming an extraordinary man, i.e. a real human being. As in
the tale of Pinocchio, it is sure to require a true heart, a deep enduring
wish, unceasing work, and perhaps, a fairy godmother, i.e. a Being of higher
substance under whose influence we might have a chance."

For Information about purchasing or artists  artwork

call HeloiseCrista - Taliesen West 480-860-2700

call 1-866-542-1004 toll free or E-mail-bill@wilkiestudio.com

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