Category Archives: Seguin Art

God Among Us

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A Commission of Emanuel’s Lutheran Church, Seguin, TX

Photo by: https://www.bilsullivanphotography.com

In the beginning:

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When asked me to write an artist statement for the sculpture, I said yes without blinking an eye.  My understanding was, I would go through the genesis of the sculpture in explaining the experience of my journey while carving the flesh of the wood.  

The reality we foresee this day is difficult to explain because the work is based on a strong feeling of faith.  From the conception to the finished artwork, I tried to capture a moment in its eternity.  The  artist in me created something that she does not fully comprehend.  The sculpture is the fruit of the changing seasons of my roots from soils of many cultures.  It is also a strong belief in the divine rather than a proof in itself.  I am just an instrument in His hands.  This being said, I consider it is more important for the artwork to speak for itself without intervention or explanation. 

Ideally, a two-way avenue of communication flows between the Creator and the viewer allowing his mind to wander in prayer.  The visible is something different for everyone.  While my explanation can be useful to the viewer for exploration and consideration, it can also limit or constrict the possible responses.   

Progress:

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Completion:

God Among Us

Photo courtesy of Matt Chase Photography

Unveiling at Emanuel’s Lutheran Church, Seguin, TX.:

Unveiling Ceremony 1

 

Mandela-Nelle: Interview and Article

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Mandela-Nelle interview by Darren Dunn KWED https://marikaarts.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/interview-kwed-12-01-14-12314-7-29-pm.mp3

Mandela-Nelle Bronze

Mandela-Nelle
Bronze

Article from Seguin Today by Cindy Aguirre-Herrera on 12/02/2014 

National attention drawn to work of local artist; Local sculpture receives award in national fine art exhibition

(Seguin) — A local artist has been recognized by one of the most prestigious groups in the nation. Sculptor Marika Bordes was named the recipient of the “Claude Parsons Memorial Award.”

The award was presented by the American Artists Professional League (AAPL) during its 86th Grand National Exhibition. The presentation was made by AAPL President Peter Rossi during the group’s annual meeting and awards reception held at the Salmagundi Club in New York City.

Each year, the non-profit AAPL accepts a number of fine arts for consideration. The application alone, however, is competitive in that not everyone is allowed to participate in the contest.

Bordes, who received the award for her bronze sculpture entitled, “Mandela-Nelle” says she is appreciative to have been extended an award especially since this was her first attempt to enter the contest.

“The American Artist Professional League and the Salmagundi Club are two prestigious organizations and it is difficult to have your art accepted by the American Artist Professional League and have it exhibited at the Salmagundi Club. I was very excited to learn that Mandela-Nelle was accepted into the 86th Grand National Exhibition. I don’t know how many artists submitted applications but entries were from all 50 states as well as internationally,” said Bordes.

Each year, the organization hosts its Grand National Exhibition, a show that highlights major and emerging professional artists in oil, watercolor, pastel, sculpture, graphics and mixed media.

Bordes says on top of the national recognition, she is honored to have had her artwork exhibited in the show. She says only 29 sculptures were selected.

“It’s a woman. It’s kind of a girl and it’s an African American and she’s standing kind of walking very proud. She has a lot of pride in herself. That’s how I was picturing her when I was working on the piece,” said Bordes.

Bordes says the accomplishment is indeed one of her finest moments professionally.

“It is truly an honor to receive the Claude Parson’s memorial award particularly because of the professional stature of the judges. Along with the award certificate, the organizations sent an award plaque to affix to the base of the sculpture and a press release announcing that a Seguin artist from Texas is the recipient of the 2014 award and I think this is awesome and it filled me with joy,” said Bordes.

This year, the group highlights the achievements of 298 artists. The AAPL has devoted itself to the cause of fine arts in America since 1928.

 

The Flying Leaves at Texas Lutheran University

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The Unveiling Ceremony

“The Flying Leaves”

Texas Lutheran University

Student Alumni Center
November 14, 2014

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Dr. Stuart Dorsey President, TLU

Dr. Stuart Dorsey
President, TLU

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Mr. Rick Roberts, Vice-President for Development and Alumni Relations

 

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Comments by Marika:

Good afternoon everyone and welcome to the debut of The Flying Leaves.

Creativity flowers in the doing, in the experiencing of life, and in having community.  Over 30,000 years ago, artists connected their communities by creating art on the walls of caves.  Since, the methods of artists have changed while the impulse to connect has not.  “The Flying Leaves,” are a perfect example.

In commissioning this Bas-relief wood sculpture, the TLU Development Office called upon the creativity of our community to make a statement out of a piece of American walnut.

As a great force of nature capable of spreading beauty and understanding, this piece of wood pictures the clear channel of spiritual communion between the university and the students.  Thank you TLU for giving us the opportunity to connect with you through a state of creative grace and a sense of the sublime.

I would like to pay tribute to a friend Dr. Evelyn Streng who left us today.  She was a constant inspiration in the making of the leaves.  She did not handle mallet and chisels but truly she had a hand in fashioning the message of the sculpture.  In September she told me that even if she is not present for the unveiling ceremony she will be there with us.

Having you here today is a truly humbling experience.  So allow me to end now by thanking each and every one of you for celebrating the arts and for being part of this community.

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The Flying Leaves American Walnut H 24" W 108" D 2"

The Flying Leaves
American Walnut
H 24″ W 108″ D 2″

Flying Leaves C

Detail

Detail

 

 

 

 

 

Plaque for  “Flying Leaves”

The TLU Development Office project begins with straight-forward design specifications of a tree and leaves for the artwork.  From there, the idea flows into the realm of visual artistry.  The rendezvous of ideas and art leads to a tree with a strong trunk deeply rooted to a rich landscape.  Carrying the essence of the concept into a Bas-relief wood sculpture, a locally harvested American Walnut, gives birth to “The Flying Leaves”.

The symbolism behind the tree and the leaves is the interconnectivity between the university and its graduates.

  • The tree with its many limbs, represents Texas Lutheran University;
  • The flying leaves are the graduating students who after a period of learning boldly leave the university with the mission of “Live to Inspire”; and
  • The landscape is the journey ahead into the greater community.

The wisdom of the narrative resides in the harmonious cycle of this interconnectivity.  The seeds of knowledge germinate, the leaves spread the news and the world becomes a better place.

The artists

Marika (Marie-Carmel Bordes) a Seguin artist, originally from the Caribbean Island of Haiti, is the official sculptor of “The Flying Leaves”.  With a wonderful moment of celebration in mind, she leads the concept of the Bas-relief sculpture with the assistance of Howard E. Crunk, a TLU graduate in the arts, class of 2007.   Together with mallet and chisels, they testify to the indelible legacy of the alma mater and the alumni.

Dennis Martin and Marika Bordes

Texas Lutheran University 2014 Annual Student Art Show

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“Must See”

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This beautifully arranged art show is the proof that vision and talent are thriving in our Seguin community.  Located at the Schuech Fine Arts Center, the show closes May 8.  This display of art is an excellent occasion to realize what is being taught at the university in our town.   Visit and experience that breath of fresh air from our next generation of artists.

Kyle Olson, Assistant Professor, The Department of Visual Arts, invited Marika Bordes and Dennis Martin to jury the Annual Student Art Show.  What an honor!  Thank you TLU for allowing us to be part of such an awesome venue.  The students inspired us with their creativity, professional presentation of work, and diversity and depth of expression.  Kudos must go to the teaching staff for unrelentingly bringing out, year after year, the best in their students.  We are proud of you.

First place honors for 2D went to:

Emily Ullrich for “Peppers n’ Onions” an oil on canvas still life.

At the opening reception, Emily surprised us with the news that the painting was her first using oil.  Bravo!

Jurors’ Comments:

Physical presentation of the artwork:  is of high standard.

Conception in the planning of the art piece: is clearly executed.

Mastery of the medium: is evident.

Rendering of the use of light:  is well executed.

The WOW! factors: are lighting and texture.

Peppers n' Onions

Peppers n’ Onions

First place honors for 3D went to:

Cason Miller for “The Cyclops” a wood sculpture made from an old chair.  Cason is planning a visit to Marika’s studio.  We look forward to his visit.

Juror’s Comments:

Creativity:   It stands out from the crowd.

The presentation of the subject is done in a way that it had not been done before.

Artistic design: There is a sense of balance.

The impact: Brings all the elements together to create a positive impact with recycled materials.

The Cyclops

The Cyclops

For the President’s 2014 Christmas Card, a committee selected the art of Mary Grace  Riddle.  Mary also has excellent paintings of dog portraits.  Wait until you see Ms. Juliet, the dog with the pleading-for-goodies look in her eyes.

Ms. Juliet

Ms. Juliet

Jurors Statement

Texas Lutheran University

2014 Annual Student Art Show

Pushing the limits of the craft and creativity of art best describes the 2014 Annual Texas Lutheran University Student Art Show.  The most important elements of the show are:

  1. The jurors felt the artists followed many different avenues in medium and subject matter for the sheer joy of expression.
  2. One senses the strong effort in the use of technique, lighting and composition in the creative process.
  3. The jurors very much appreciated the creativity of vision found in the art.

We used the following criteria in jurying the show:

1. Creativity in:

subject, interpretation and vision;

2. Artistic design:

lines, sense of balance, and composition;

3. Knowledge of the medium:

technique and execution;

4. Presentation of the art form:

degree of excellence in presenting the artwork: and

5. Impact:

Impact overall, and the WOW! Factor.

Nota bene emerging artists:

Our recommendation to each of you who entered the show is continue developing technique and creativity.  Enjoy the world of art, its inspiration and your place in it.

May you have a creative life.

Marika Bordes and Dennis Martin

 

In the left column of this page are links to the Department of Visual Arts under “Art Organizations” and to Professor Kyle Olson and art student Mary Grace Riddle under “Artists”.

 

The 2014 Arts Enrichment Award

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The Seguin Commission on the Arts

2014 Arts Enrichment Award

Saturday, February 22, 2014

Steve Tschoepe Announcing the Award Winner

Steve Tschoepe Announcing the Award Winner

Barbara Weyland Cheering

The Seguin Commission on the Arts honored Marika with the  2014 Arts Enrichment Award for her unwavering support and promotion of the arts.  Mayor Don Keil made the announcement at the Texas Theater as part of the ArtsFest event, Pachanga del Arte, the annual fundraiser for the arts in Seguin.

She was awarded a special certificate and an enthusiastic round of applause.

In announcing the award, Mayor Keil noted that since Marika and her husband Dennis Martin chose to settle

Seguin Mayor Don Keil

Seguin Mayor Don Keil

in Seguin she has been at the forefront of public art in Seguin. She has spoken about the arts to local groups, exhibited her art work in shows throughout the community, contributed two commissioned sculptures to enhance the public art at Guadalupe Regional Medical Center, and was a key participant in the first ArtsFest, working with children and adults to create a public art piece for Seguin.

She has taught wood carving classes, helping others discover their artistic talents and was a driving force behind the creation of the Seguin Commission on the Arts as well as the creation of the Bird Sculptures in Walnut Springs Park, raising funds, working with other artists, and creating sculptures that celebrate Seguin’s status as a bird sanctuary.

IMG_6501Her accomplishments are many and include raising over $10,000 in funds through art for disaster relief in Haiti, being featured in numerous publications and on Texas Country Reporter, and being showcased in a National Endowment for the Arts-funded Folklife project through the Institute of Texan Cultures.

Through the years and in spite of challenges, Marika has held on to her vision for Seguin to become known for the arts.  He closed saying she is very deserving of being recognized as the Outstanding Contributor to the Arts for 2014.

Past recipients of the recognition include the Texas Theatre and Teatro de Artes de Juan Seguin.

 

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Helen Stein, A Founding Member of the Seguin Art League

Helen Stein, A Founding Member of the Seguin Art League

The Guadalupe Regional Medical Center: The Artist Wall

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The Guadalupe Regional Medical Center: The Artist Wall

Sculptures by Marika and photographs by Dennis Martin are on display at the Guadalupe Regional Medical Center Artist Wall through December 2013. This is your opportunity to see sculptures that are on public view for the first and possibly the last time; they are on loan from private collections.  Also, The Contortionist is on view for the first time.  In addition to the Artist Wall,  the medical center has two of Marika’s sculptures in their permanent collection.  Maternitree is at the entrance to the Birthing Center and the Cross of St. Bridget is in the chapel.  We hope you enjoy the exhibit.

The GRMC Artist Wall

The GRMC Artist Wall

Seguin Walnut Springs Bird Sculpture Sanctuary Unveling

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Marika and her team of sculptors are pleased to let you know that the City of Seguin has announced the unveiling of the Seguin Walnut Springs Park Bird Sculpture Sanctuary.

Tuesday, September 18, 2012 at 4:30pm

Walnut Springs Park

317 West Court Street

Seguin, TX 78155

Please join us at this City of Seguin event and meet the eight bird sculptures.

The Sculptors: Marika Bordes, Barry Duncan, jimmy Schmidt, Howard Crunk

The Hawk

The Owl

The Three Herons

The Roadrunner II

Marika Bordes and Team discuss Walnut Springs Park Bird Sculpture Sanctuary Project & Fundraiser

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Meet the Sculptors and See the Bird Sculptures

Saturday, March 31, 2012

Central Park, Seguin , TX from 9:00 am until noon

The Texas Theater, 425 North Austin Street, Seguin, TX from 7:00 – 10:00pm

KWED Radio broadcast:

Please click here: KWED Broadcast_ Project to Fly during ArtsFest Fundraiser

Seguin Daily News article:

New Sculptures and Work-in-Progress

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This summer Marika completed two sculptures.  The first sculpture displayed is Envolee (Flying) and the second is Irene.  Envolee is made from black walnut and is now in a private collection in Montreal.  Irene is made from cypress knee and was on exhibit at Gallery Nord in San Antonio and is currently displayed at the Hair Haus in Seguin.

Marika is currently working on Liberty.  This piece will be on display at Gallery Nord from November 11 until january 12.  Photos coming soon.

Envolee:

Irene: