The Patriot
Public sculpture, Town of Bedford,
Massachusetts. An over-life-size
bronze figure installed in Veterans'
Park
Massachusetts. An over-life-size
bronze figure installed in Veterans'
Park
Commissioned by the town to
commemorate and celebrate the
town's prized possession, a military
flag, and the oldest flag in the
country, carried by local Minutemen
into he first battle of the revolution
at the Concord Bridge.
commemorate and celebrate the
town's prized possession, a military
flag, and the oldest flag in the
country, carried by local Minutemen
into he first battle of the revolution
at the Concord Bridge.
In designing this sculpture, I worked
to avoid the usual references to
battle: swords, rifles, cannons. I
invoke the spirit of the times
through a fully activated pose. The
figure, as well as all other elements,
are in full motion.
to avoid the usual references to
battle: swords, rifles, cannons. I
invoke the spirit of the times
through a fully activated pose. The
figure, as well as all other elements,
are in full motion.
The Minuteman/flag bearer, strides
forward... a powerful figure,
determined and confident of
victory.... but, glancing back slightly,
perhaps calling out to his
compatriots. It's obvious that he is
aware of the urgency of the moment
and of all that is at stake.
forward... a powerful figure,
determined and confident of
victory.... but, glancing back slightly,
perhaps calling out to his
compatriots. It's obvious that he is
aware of the urgency of the moment
and of all that is at stake.
The surface modeling of the sculpture is fairly rough. In places you will see tool marks and the act of
applying the clay (in which this was originally modeled) is evident. The active surface says something about
the creative process of sculpting and by extension, the creative process of revolution. I wanted to show
things at work....becoming, growing, evolving.
applying the clay (in which this was originally modeled) is evident. The active surface says something about
the creative process of sculpting and by extension, the creative process of revolution. I wanted to show
things at work....becoming, growing, evolving.
"The sculpture Bruce Papitto created for the town of Bedford reflects a wonderful tradition
of the past as well as being a superb piece of art."
Jan van Steenwijk, President, Friends of the Bedford Flag.
of the past as well as being a superb piece of art."
Jan van Steenwijk, President, Friends of the Bedford Flag.
public sculpture
bruce papittto