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Puma People:
Boys in
the Band |
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History
1982:
The sculptural idea of a
humanistic-animal figure, with a puma-like face was conceived in clay
(1st row, left). The cascading mane that dominated the
back view, was a continuation of the mane on Nannette's
Bird # 1, in her previous series,
Family Reunion.
Creating a mold of the clay creature was the first step; then, after
removing the clay, Nannette duplicated the image, multiple times, by
filling the mold with
wax (1st row, center); this process
allowed for experimentaion and detail, as the theme developed. However,
until Mother and
Child (1st row, right), none of the
creatures had humanistic arms, legs hands or feet. In her arms, the
Mother tenderly held a small child, who had claws for feet
(left-over from Family Reunion). Unable to find her desired
direction, Nannette, reluctantly, put the creatures aside for almost
five years, until the series' artistic block lifted, in 1987. The
Mother evolved into
Trumpeter
and the Child became the
Banjo Player. |
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Clay prototype became
Piano Man.
1982,
11"x7"x5"
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wax from 1982 clay prototype |
Wax
sculpture in-progress
Mother and Child.
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1987: Upon watching a MTV video on Television, with her children,
Nannette
found the answer. Nannette saw a band of musicians performing and commented that the musicians on the screen were acting
like animals. It suddenly became clear that her "puma people" were meant
to be musicians in a band. All previous problems were quickly resolved as
Nannette added arms, legs, a musical instrument, and a whimsical persona
to each animal. Humanistic arms and legs as well as paw-like fingers and
toes were defined. |
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Boys in the Band,
1987-1991, bronze, 21"x54"x14"
Individual five-member band shown below
Back
to Top |
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Lead Singer,
subtitled
Dean Martin, 16.5" x 9.5" x12"
The lead singer is the largest, and
was the last animal to be cast. Its stature has a unifying effect on
the other four band members.
The eyes are half closed, as he relaxes on the stool
with a micro-phone in hand, and delivers a song in the easy-going style of Dean
Martin.
 
Piano Man, subtitled Ray Charles,
11"x15"x9"
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Back
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The Drummer,
subtitle
Gene Krupa,
14"x14"x11"
Gene Krupa was the first jazz drum "soloist" of the 1930's. Nannette saw
him play in the early 1960's, and never forgot the experience, as her
drummer
sits perched on a stool; the right stick touches the
drum in front of him; the left stick prepares to hit the cymbal. There
is a joyful expression on his face.
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Trumpeter,
subtitled Louis Armstrong, 21" x13"x7.5"
 
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Banjo Player,
11" x8"x5"
 
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