Unique Sculpture Exhibit Runs Through Dec. 6

A compelling sculpture exhibit featuring 20 works of art by Robbie Barber is on display through Friday, Dec. 6, in the Martin Museum at the Hooper-Schaefer Fine Arts Center on the Baylor University campus. Additionally, an outdoor sculpture by Barber can be seen on the lawn of the building.
Barber is an instructor of art at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls and has exhibited his works throughout the South. He is known for finding objects and manipulating them to fit various themes. By looking through junk yards and thrift stores, he searches for the right object to illustrate his ideas.
A North Carolina native, Barber's central themes are American folk art and the southern landscape. Within these realms he addresses the topics of gun control, ethical waste disposal and recycling.
"Influenced by literary science fiction, toy design and American folk art, I use my rural southern heritage as a point of departure to create hybrid fantasy," said Barber. "For example, the piece titled 'Ramblin Man,' consists of a pick-up truck transformed into a home-made army tank, complete with all-terrain tracks and a huge gun firmly positioned atop a camper shell."
Dr. Heidi Hornik, assistant professor in the Department of Fine Arts, describes the sculptures as "humorous when you first see them. But when you look at them again, they are ominous and very sad."
The Martin Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and noon to 5 p.m. Saturday.
For more information, call 755-1867.