"Though my work is serious in nature, with the infusion of color, texture, and content, it maintains a whimsical and seductive perspective on Western culture."
"Though my work is serious in nature, with the infusion of color, texture, and content, it maintains a whimsical and seductive perspective on Western culture."
Richard J. Hinger, an American self-taught artist, was born in 1963 in Pennsylvania into a military family. During childhood, he traveled with his family throughout the US and also to Panama. On his own at the age of 17, he eventually found his way to the West Coast of Southern California where he first started creating his visionary art. There he gained attention for his provocative sculptures made from discarded and recycled items. Without formal training, theory and history were not of importance and Hinger forged his own technique and a unique form of sculpture .
It was in California that Hinger started working on public art projects with community children and at risk youth. While working with homeless teens who he could personally identify with, he was able to solidify some of his visions and understanding of survival noting that “even people get thrown away” . As a result, he founded Environmental Sculpture Inc. ( ESI ), a non-profit community arts program bringing utilitarian Public Art to cities’ and public spaces.
Richard's current Public Arts project is Lehighton Letters, a series of works created for public libraries worldwide. Works from Lehighton Letters, named after the artists PA birthplace, are on exhibition in London, New York City, Paris, Washington D.C. and 50 other public libraries. These new works are made from salvaged signage letters inlaid with assorted commonplace objects, and spell out inspiring words such as READ, BOOKS, and ART.
Hinger’s art has now reached the east coast due to a recent relocation to Florida to work in his present studio he has named the “Atelier of Assemblage”. His creations have been viewed by over 45 countries via his ‘LIVE’ webcam streaming from his work place.
A tile specialist by trade, Hinger began using his work materials and familiar found-objects to assemble free standing and wall sculptures which were initially abstract. As his technique progressed, the objects became more self-serving and able to better express his visions. With a focus on environmental concerns and current social issues, he created thematic series’ each consisting of 20 sculptures with a common object. The series Neon God, with its typewriters throughout, is a commentary on sensationalism in the media, and Shop Around, using shopping carts, makes a statement about mass consumerism and the spend and discard mentality embedded into Western Culture.
Hinger compares the process of creating his sculptures in stages which can be likened to catastrophic historic events in nature. The collection of items, textured into a solid piece, painted black and colors added - like life events turned to stone by volcanic lava at Pompeii, moments in time dropped into the La Brea tar pits, fossilized stories of the future. The result, a molten mix of social, psychological, and environmental statements.
Described by the artist as ‘Post Apocalyptic Visions’, the sculptures tell the story of our wasteful and destructive nature as humans.
Hinger states his sculptures foretell a bleak future for the inhabitants of Planet Earth as a result of a society full of corruption, greed, and materialism. The pieces show humans and living creatures surviving in the caustic muck filled with symbols of wastefulness oozing throughout.
After 25 years of creating, Hinger has a large body of work. Described as startling, absurd, disturbing, and dark despite bright colors, his work can also be whimsical and humorous. The bold pieces catch our attention while the details lure us in and prompt the viewer to explore.
Artists Statement
"As a self-taught assemblagist/sculptor, I create vibrant and provocative works of art from the products of mans throw-away culture. I search for commonplace discarded objects and discover unique resources containing collectibles and relics to utilize in the sculptures which then become part of a thematic series.
Like the objects I work with, my themes vary considerably, but the common thread of my work is the urgency of visual statements concerning American consumerism, environmental awareness, political icons, and the medias steady search for the newest sensation.
Though my work is serious in nature, with the infusion of color, texture, and content, it maintains a whimsical and seductive perspective on Western culture."
Richard J. Hinger
