STEVE RICHARDS - Solar Donkey

ARTIST STATEMENT
Solar Donkey is a full scale replica of a conventional oil field pump (Donkey) powered by Solar panels. A hybrid of form and dysfunction, its rotation is painfully slow with one full rotation taking over 24 hrs. Its intentionally slow rotation parallels our adoption of alternate energy. This iconic symbol of resource wealth has been co-opted into an embarrassing reminder of consumption. With the oil pump's conversion to solar power we get an ironic glimmer of hope, if not a realization of the uneasy transition to come.
Steve Richards 2011

BIO
Stephen Richards is an accomplished metal fabricator working in the art and design community since 1998.

A graduate from the Sculpture/Installation program at the Ontario College of Art in 1992, Richards returned to the Faculty of Design at OCAD from 2005-2008 as an instructor.

As an artist, Richards' own work has been concentrated on kinetic sculpture. A recent piece, "Rock Bottom," had a mechanism dragging a fabricated ship anchor relentlessly in a circle on the gallery floor.

Through his company, Streamliner, Richards produces a variety of work including large scale public art, architectural features and museum exhibits for local and international clients.

For more information contact:
Steve_Richards@mac.com

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