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| ‘Mental Game’ by Deveren Farley |
Written by George Scott
“Mental Game”
According to artist Deveren Farley, “This piece represents Ironmans and triathlons. The craziness of all the metal represents the paths leading up to and during that race you’ve trained so hard for. To do an Ironman or triathlon it is just as much a “Mental Game” as it is a physical game.”
Farley’s art is no stranger to the St. George area. Many will reember his giant guitar which was placed downtown at the roundabout on Tabernacle and Main during the 2014 exhibit. This year, his 2015 contribution is placed at the roundabout at 200 North and Main.
Farley was first introduced to welding in his California high school metal shop class. His teacher encouraged students to think outside the box and create art. As a result, Farley entered a dragon sculpture at the California State Fair in 2000 and received 1st place, Best of Show, Most Outstanding, and Most Creative. The next year, he entered a 7-foot alligator which won him 1st place, Most Outstanding, and Most Creative.
Since flipping down his first welding helmet in 1998, Farley has been sculpting metal ever since. He has made everything from desktop pieces to 21-foot tall sculptures. Whatever his mind has been able to conjure, he has been able to create using bits and pieces of scrap metal, utensils, old tools, and any discarded metal.
“As an artist, I strive to take what others imagine and bring it to life for them by creating a piece that is as unique and beautiful as the idea itself.”
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| ‘The Gilded Lily’ by Dana Kuglin |
“The Gilded Lily”
Artist Dana Kuglin states, “The Gilded Lily is a journey of vision using the nature of Utah’s state flower and recycled materials integrated into the landscape. It symbolizes natures ability to conform, adapt to mankinds environment, while retaining its purity and beauty.”
What started as an email to Stefanie Bevins of Art Around the Corner with a photo attachment of the Sego Lilies blooming at Lake Powell is now a piece that blooms in the roundabout on Tabernacle and Main.
Using concrete decorative pillars that came with the house Kuglin and his wife purchased in Salt Lake City, some surplus steel, a fire suppression system tank, a stainless steel strap, and a Kenworth aluminum diesel fuel tank, Kuglin’s masterpiece has new purpose.
“It was important to showcase the use of repurposed materials to build the beauty of the Sego Lily as a manmade flower and environment,” Kuglin said.
He has been using reclaimed and recycled materials whenever possible since first starting to create in 1986. Kuglin sold his first sculpture in 1987. It was made from old car panels taken from local rivers and formed into the shape of a trout.
“Nature has always been important in my vision. I am always trying to push the boundaries of creating large scale pieces with the foresight of making them stand out but also be one with its surroundings.”
