Martin Eichinger
Encyclopedia
Martin Eichinger is an American sculptor. Deemed one of the few 'Living Masters' by the Art Renewal Center
, Eichinger is known for his bronze narrative sculptures that, as he puts it, "chronicle the eternal human pursuit of meaning, happiness, and growth." Eichinger has been sculpting for over 20 years and is represented by many elite galleries across the country. He currently lives in Oregon
and is an active and influential figure in the Northwestern sculpting community.
Eichinger began his artistic career by earning an Associate Degree at Ferris State University
in commercial design in 1969. He then went on to earn a BA in Advertising at Florida State University
and finally, to study sculpture at Michigan State University
. After his post-graduate work at Michigan State, Eichinger pursued independent studies of classical sculpture in Europe.
Since his start as a professional sculptor, Eichinger has won many prestigious awards, including First Place in Sculpture at the International Art Renewal Center
Salon in 2007 and a C. Percival Dietsch Award, “Best Sculpture in the Round” from the National Sculpture Society
in 2003. He has also won grants from such institutions as the Kellogg Fellowship and the National Endowment for the Arts
.
Eichinger is also very involved in the sculpting community. He is a member of the National Sculpture Society, a founding member of the Pacific Northwest Sculpture Association, and a founder and faculty-member at Fire and Earth Art Center, located in Portland, Oregon.
Eichinger produces sculptures in bronze whose themes explore different aspects of man's life. His works are thematically grouped into series: Duet, Dream, Exotic Women, Goddess, and Passage. According to his biography, "in the Duet Series he examines the nature of loving, committed relationships. The Passage Series deals with transcendence, the ability and strength to move beyond difficult times. The stories depicted in each of these sculptures are more than simple narratives: they contain opinions and lead to conclusions." Eichinger chooses his themes as such because he "want[s his] sculptures to be mythological in that they speak to others who, like [him], are formulating new values and are looking for a new sense of meaning in art and in life."
Art Renewal Center
The Art Renewal Center is an organization led by New Jersey millionaire, businessman, and art collector Fred Ross dedicated to the promotion of what it terms classical realism in art, as opposed to the Modernist developments of the twentieth century...
, Eichinger is known for his bronze narrative sculptures that, as he puts it, "chronicle the eternal human pursuit of meaning, happiness, and growth." Eichinger has been sculpting for over 20 years and is represented by many elite galleries across the country. He currently lives in Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
and is an active and influential figure in the Northwestern sculpting community.
Biography
Martin Eichinger was born in Michigan in 1949. His father was a graphic artist, though Eichinger claims that his 7th grade teacher was the person that first inspired his interest in art.Eichinger began his artistic career by earning an Associate Degree at Ferris State University
Ferris State University
Ferris State University is a public university with its main campus in Big Rapids, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1884 as the Big Rapids Industrial School by Woodbridge Nathan Ferris, an educator from New England who later served as governor of the State of Michigan and finally in the US Senate where...
in commercial design in 1969. He then went on to earn a BA in Advertising at Florida State University
Florida State University
The Florida State University is a space-grant and sea-grant public university located in Tallahassee, Florida, United States. It is a comprehensive doctoral research university with medical programs and significant research activity as determined by the Carnegie Foundation...
and finally, to study sculpture at Michigan State University
Michigan State University
Michigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1855, it was the pioneer land-grant institution and served as a model for future land-grant colleges in the United States under the 1862 Morrill Act.MSU pioneered the studies of packaging,...
. After his post-graduate work at Michigan State, Eichinger pursued independent studies of classical sculpture in Europe.
Since his start as a professional sculptor, Eichinger has won many prestigious awards, including First Place in Sculpture at the International Art Renewal Center
Art Renewal Center
The Art Renewal Center is an organization led by New Jersey millionaire, businessman, and art collector Fred Ross dedicated to the promotion of what it terms classical realism in art, as opposed to the Modernist developments of the twentieth century...
Salon in 2007 and a C. Percival Dietsch Award, “Best Sculpture in the Round” from the National Sculpture Society
National Sculpture Society
Founded in 1893, the National Sculpture Society was the first organization of professional sculptors formed in the United States. The purpose of the organization was to promote the welfare of American sculptors, although its founding members included several renowned architects. The founding...
in 2003. He has also won grants from such institutions as the Kellogg Fellowship and the National Endowment for the Arts
National Endowment for the Arts
The National Endowment for the Arts is an independent agency of the United States federal government that offers support and funding for projects exhibiting artistic excellence. It was created by an act of the U.S. Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government. Its current...
.
Eichinger is also very involved in the sculpting community. He is a member of the National Sculpture Society, a founding member of the Pacific Northwest Sculpture Association, and a founder and faculty-member at Fire and Earth Art Center, located in Portland, Oregon.
Work
Eichinger defines his work as narrative sculpture: "I am a narrative artist. The language I use is form and anatomy, but what I try to sculpt is romantic, emotional, and perhaps mythic art." Eichinger's works are typically grouped into themes.Eichinger produces sculptures in bronze whose themes explore different aspects of man's life. His works are thematically grouped into series: Duet, Dream, Exotic Women, Goddess, and Passage. According to his biography, "in the Duet Series he examines the nature of loving, committed relationships. The Passage Series deals with transcendence, the ability and strength to move beyond difficult times. The stories depicted in each of these sculptures are more than simple narratives: they contain opinions and lead to conclusions." Eichinger chooses his themes as such because he "want[s his] sculptures to be mythological in that they speak to others who, like [him], are formulating new values and are looking for a new sense of meaning in art and in life."