Flight of Obscurity
ROY presents: Nathaniel Foley
Fri, Jul 10, 2020 - 6:00 PM
Sat, Aug 8, 2020 - 4:00 PM
Growing up in a family of pilots, I was exposed to the awe-inspiring mysteries of flight at an early age. As an adolescent, my introduction to aviation developed into a deep respect and love for the field. Countless hours were spent building models of planes and talking about aircraft with my father, a certified aviation mechanic and instructor, whose passion propelled my curiosity. Our conversations resulted in my insatiable desire to create forms with my own hands that brought my interest in aviation to light utilizing construction techniques and processes (such as riveting and sheet metal fabrication) that have been used throughout aviation history.
Human existence is closely tied to travel. We have always desired to travel, especially in ways in which we were not physically designed. The boundaries of our existence on this planet have been significantly transformed in the last century as our yearning to defy earthly limitations via manned flight became a reality. Of course a more sinister side to air travel arises from conflict, where aircraft have been used to inflict harm on an enemy. I communicate concepts rooted in aviation history through a visual language that references both travel and warfare by hand fabricating dynamic and iconic forms of flight. These sculptures consist of cones that are integrated with spires and held together under tension, supported by utilitarian structures. This fragile relationship of forms exposes the delicate balance between grace and imminent danger, similar to the fleeting ballet of courting birds or the hostility felt between foes engaged in a dogfight. Through references to aeronautical form, the sculptures communicate tension and dance in direct opposition of fundamental forces.
Explore more of Nathaniel’s work here
Follow Nathan when he takes over ROY’s InstaGram July 14 & 16
Artwork is for sale and pricing is available upon request. Artists receive 65% of sales and the 35% ROY retains is invested back into the gallery.
left > right F-117 Hghthawk, Aluminum, Safety Wire, Field Rivets, Poplar, Steel, Cork $3000; F-105 Thunderchief, Aluminum, Safety Wire, Field Rivets Ash, Mild Steel, Baltic Birch Plywood $1500; MiG 27M Flogger-J, Aluminum, Safety Wire, Field Rivets, Poplar, Steel, Cork $2500; TR3-A Pumpkinseed, Aluminum, Safety Wire Field Rivets, Poplar, Steel, Cork, Wire Mesh, Fabric $2500; MiG-21, Cotton Fabric, Safety Wire, Wire Mesh, Poplar, Mahogany, Steel, Cork, Stand $7500; Yak-28P Firebar, Aluminum, Safety Wire, Field Rivets, Poplar, Cork, NFS
ROY asks
1. What is your name and pronouns?
Nathaniel Foley (informally Nathan) - He, His, Him
2. What medium(s) do you work with and why?
Wood, Aluminum, Steel, Wire, and Fabric. - These media have been in my repertoire for many years. All of them relate to my focus of aviation and flight.
3. How has art (whether it be your own or art in general) changed you?
Art has been in my life since elementary school, but I never saw it as a career until after I graduated from high school. Additionally, making has been a part of my life even longer as my family was always involved in creating and fixing objects. I am not sure if art has changed me as a person, but it has been a strong thread throughout my life and has provided me an outlet to share my passions.
4. How did you start your artistic practice?
As I mentioned earlier, it was not until after I graduated high school that I thought about art as a career path. I started at a community college to test the waters if that was the right choice for me and instantly loved it. I could not get enough and transferred to a four year institution to finish my BFA.
5. Your works deal specifically with intersectional topics such as aviation, travel, and trauma. Have there been any hurdles or struggles that you experienced when dealing with these subjects on your own?
There is a constant struggle to find new forms, materials and processes to incorporate within my work. I am always trying to be on the lookout for anything unique and interesting to incorporate in my work. I have an almost endless inventory of inspiration that I feel that I can pull from since aviation has such a rich history over the past hundred or so years. As I think about travel and trauma, these are inherently present within my work, but I rarely speak to them directly. The physical tension of the work brings multiple moments of flight and combat into a singular sculpture.
6. When a first-time viewer looks at your art, what is the first word that you hope they think when looking at it?
tension, grace, balance, fluidity, directionality, thrust, trajectory,...
7. If you could meet any artist of your choosing (whether living or dead) and spend a day with them, who would it be?
I cannot pick one... Martin Puryear for his craftsmanship and ability to craft narrative within magnificent forms and Chris Burden because of his ability to do anything and not anything stop him from making. These are two that are near the top of a long list of artists that I would be honored to talk to.
