How to go
What: Jeff Rutledge Sculptures
Where: Stubbs Park Amphitheater, 255 W. Spring Valley, Centerville
When: On display through September
More information: (937) 433-7151 or www.ci. centerville.oh.us
One is called “The Big Cheese,” the other wishes to remain anonymous.
They’ve been to New York, East Hampton and Miami Beach, but now they’ve come home. They currently strike a whimsical pose on either side of the Amphitheater at Stubb’s Park in Centerville.
Created by local artist Jeff Rutledge, the abstract stainless steel sculptures enhance the area around the contemporary band shell.
According to Rutledge, a native Datonian, the untitled work is about broken down organizations and industries that need to recombine in new ways to solve problems. The disparate geometrical shapes have a slight lean, mimicking the hard decisions for change.
“The Big Cheese” is slightly figurative; its shadow actually resembles a person holding a vintage movie camera. Both have multiple layers of circular scoring on the surface that move and change with the light and viewer’s angle.
“My work is for people who are progressive, dreamers and designers,” Rutledge said. “They are looking for something that’s modern, edgy and contemporary.”
The polished stainless steel surface also picks up the colors of the environment, the orange-yellow of bright days, the grays and blues of winter and soft moonlight from the night sky.
Rutledge is delighted when viewers find humor in his work, and says his work is not meant to be serious.
As a child, Rutledge loved to build things and play with shapes. He’s carried that curiosity and enthusiasm into his adult life by fashioning a career in art. He’s exhibited his works in Texas, California, Michigan, Illinois and even Florence, Italy.
“We’re hoping that 15,000 people see them here at the amphitheater. It’s good exposure, and a win-win for everybody,” Rutledge said.
“Centerville is very progressive. Some people are discussing in council about starting an art or sculpture collection. It’s an honor to be included in that.”
Contact contributing writer Pamela Dillon at pamdillon@woh.rr.com.
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