“Like the layers of an onion, the talents of Douglass Gray peel back to reveal yet another skill or accomplishment, then still more. Yet he said he was surprised and pleased when his sculpture, “Icarus Revisited,” was honored as Best of Show, topping the other 255 pieces of art (selected from some 600 entries) in the recent 43rd annual Juried Art Show at the Plymouth Center for the Arts.”
– Doris Johnson (Wicked Local)
This is a steel sculpture based on the Greek myth of Icarus and his father who made wings of wax and flew too close to the sun. The heat of the sun melted the wax and they fell to their deaths. There are four elements in this sculpture that represent this myth. The sun is represented by the open circle. The sun’s rays are the four pointed pieces slightly lower. The wings are just below and are of triangular-like shapes. Opposite the wings, the narrow vertical rods represent the melting wax.
I was trained as a painter but gradually realized that the two dimensional format became uncomfortable and restrictive for me. The paintings seemed to urge me to translate my thoughts and ideas into a three dimensional form. My early pieces were basically two dimensional sculptures until the mid-seventies. By then I had trained my mind to develop ideas in two dimensional sketches and “see” them as being three dimensional objects.
This is a steel sculpture based on the Greek myth of Icarus and his father who made wings of wax and flew too close to the sun. The heat of the sun melted the wax and they fell to their deaths. There are four elements in this sculpture that represent this myth. The sun is represented by the open circle. The sun’s rays are the four pointed pieces slightly lower. The wings are just below and are of triangular-like shapes. Opposite the wings, the narrow vertical rods represent the melting wax. 
Many times in our lives we come face to face with having to make difficult decisions as we become more comfortable living in a world or environment that has changed almost all tenants and beliefs that were instilled in us as children. It becomes an often slow eroding process of the foundations and beliefs that we were taught by our parents, schools and churches. It isn’t that all change can’t be good. However, for many, allowing the diminishing of our core beliefs can be an easier process than to continue on track, being supported by our intuitive and once ingrained sensibilities. As difficult a struggle as it may be for many of us, there is a need for going back and taking positions for what we know and feel to be right. In other words… Returnings. 
This piece of sculpture is constructed of found parts and combined with fabricated pieces. The found elements include the wheel from an antique garden tiller and the larger harrow tines from a horse drawn field plow. The fabricated pieces serve to unify those elements into a cohesive sculpture. The intent of this sculpture is to call to mind the enormously hard work that was required of early farmers and their families to survive, and to honor those whose lives depended on farming to survive. Rest only came when their lives ended. 
This piece was primarily done to capture an impression of the motion of birds lifting off into flight. The shape of the birds has been abstracted in order to have the freedom to develop the feel of the spontaneous motion of a flock. This piece can also be viewed as almost a frame by frame impression of a single bird lifting off as well. The sculpture, “Flight”, led to a larger sculpture on the same basic theme done in 2013. The title of this piece is “Birds of a Feather…”, and we all can remember what the words are to finish that saying! Photos of this piece are included on the website also. 
Each person viewing this piece is presented with an unspoken question. Does “The Robe” speak of holiness or hollowness? Does the mirror within the sculpture reflect the infinity of holiness or just the emptiness of an ornate vestment? 
The sculpture, “Flight”, led to this larger piece on the same basic theme of the motion of birds lifting off into flight. The title of this piece is “Birds of a Feather…”, and we all can remember what the words are to finish that saying! The sculpture, “Flight”, led to a larger sculpture on the same basic theme done in 2013. The title of this piece is “Birds of a Feather…”, and we all can remember what the words are to finish that saying! Photos of this piece are included on the website also. 
The sculpture, “Flight”, led to this larger piece on the same basic theme of the motion of birds lifting off into flight. The title of this piece is “Birds of a Feather…”, and we all can remember what the words are to finish that saying! The sculpture, “Flight”, led to a larger sculpture on the same basic theme done in 2013. The title of this piece is “Birds of a Feather…”, and we all can remember what the words are to finish that saying! Photos of this piece are included on the website also. 
Moon Swings – A steel sculpture measuring 48” h x 14”w x 22”d. This sculpture relates to the phases of the moon and incorporates swing-like elements that add a bit of playfulness to the piece as well as alluding to how the moon travels across the sky. When actually viewing this piece at an exhibit, see if you can find in the sculpture the small indicator of the four phases of the moon. 
Moon Swings – A steel sculpture measuring 48” h x 14”w x 22”d. This sculpture relates to the phases of the moon and incorporates swing-like elements that add a bit of playfulness to the piece as well as alluding to how the moon travels across the sky. When actually viewing this piece at an exhibit, see if you can find in the sculpture the small indicator of the four phases of the moon. 
Two… Much Rhetoric, is a comment on an ever increasingly deterioration of most of today’s conversations. This unfortunate trend usually reflects a lack of ability, or desire to hear, listen to, or attempt to understand, or at least accept other’s points of view. This sculpture depicts two tongues wagging from open mouths simultaneously, resulting in… too much rhetoric, and not enough listening. Given today’s political and social issues and controversies, we all should be listening more to others rather than closing them off with our own rhetoric. 
Two… Much Rhetoric, is a comment on an ever increasingly deterioration of most of today’s conversations. This unfortunate trend usually reflects a lack of ability, or desire to hear, listen to, or attempt to understand, or at least accept other’s points of view. This sculpture depicts two tongues wagging from open mouths simultaneously, resulting in… too much rhetoric, and not enough listening. Given today’s political and social issues and controversies, we all should be listening more to others rather than closing them off with our own rhetoric. 
The design elements of this piece evoke frequent shapes found in many products and concepts of past, present and future industrial items. These would include basic items such as conveyor belt wheels, buttressing elements and bridge supports (arc shapes). The cantilevered wing shape also evokes more recent architectural design and air and spacecraft applications. The initial designing of a majority of products, structures and transportation are highly dependent on being calculated in degrees. This piece relies primarily on circles, arcs and degree angles for its intended design of creating an ever changing view for the spectator as one walks around it and, just as important, the shadows created by the sun and its constantly changing position. 
Typically, a blush is a physical awakening reaction to a favorable emotional stirring. Do as one may, it is nearly impossible to control this reaction. It is usually a telltale sign of an age- old snapshot of a budding relationship between two people. This piece of sculpture is about that emotional awakening. The square pieces that are welded together represent that couple and the circular band presents the oneness of the journey that they are just beginning. To me, the sculpture itself relays this feeling better than these words I have just written. 
Typically, a blush is a physical awakening reaction to a favorable emotional stirring. Do as one may, it is nearly impossible to control this reaction. It is usually a telltale sign of an age- old snapshot of a budding relationship between two people. This piece of sculpture is about that emotional awakening. The square pieces that are welded together represent that couple and the circular band presents the oneness of the journey that they are just beginning. To me, the sculpture itself relays this feeling better than these words I have just written. 
The apparent simplicity of this sculpture initially obscures the intended nuances. First, it depicts a family of four including a father, mother, child and a soon-to-be-born baby. The father figure is the tallest while the mother with child is represented as being the strongest, as most would agree, and illustrated by the use of the heavier bar stock. The coming baby is attached to the mother. The shortest bar represents a child. The inward leaning of the three main figures seem to be focusing on the baby in the mother’s womb. The fact that they are all attached to each other illustrates the strength and cohesiveness of the family unit. Conversely, by the fact that they were initially separate pieces, they have had, or will have, separate paths to follow during their lives. 
This sculpture is dedicated to the memory of my parents whose lives were cut short by illness. The sculpture itself depicts two people, individual in their own ways, yet connected as one through a strong bond of love and reliance on one another. Through their lives and their influence on me, I was shown and taught the need of being considerate to and of others and understanding that, although life is not necessarily easy or predictable, it will be those difficult periods that can strengthen us. 
This sculpture is dedicated to the memory of my parents whose lives were cut short by illness. The sculpture itself depicts two people, individual in their own ways, yet connected as one through a strong bond of love and reliance on one another. Through their lives and their influence on me, I was shown and taught the need of being considerate to and of others and understanding that, although life is not necessarily easy or predictable, it will be those difficult periods that can strengthen us. 
This sculpture represents what I believe to be the systemic breakdown of awareness, communication and empathy that is occurring more and more in our world, nation, and communities, as well as becoming more prevalent in our own families and daily lives. We hear but don’t listen. We see but don’t visualize. We watch but don’t act. We say “That’s terrible” but really don’t care. Our vision seems to becoming increasingly more myopic. We, as individuals, can help change this dilemma in small ways every day. 
This sculpture celebrates the arrival of spring and the return of the growing season. It also is a time of renewed invigoration that many of us feel after a long winter season. Three Stars for the Spring Moon offers both visual and tactile elements in its construction. The tactile elements include three triangular shaped pieces that represent stars in clear night skies of spring. The circular bands represent the round shape of the moon. Also please notice that they have a sort of spring-like jiggle. I have purposely intended for the word spring to have dual meanings. On the back side of the sculpture, you can also feel the worn teeth of an old garden rake. At the very top of this sculpture there is a circle that has a disc with a hole in the center and a narrow cut line that runs from the hole down about two inches. This is a symbol of new spring plant growth. 
Has anyone not thrown a stone into the water at some early time in their life? Weren’t we all fascinated and intrigued by the ripples the stone has caused? And how the water shimmers as a result of the ever expanding circle of ripples as the natural light dances across them? When we toss stones into the water at times later in life it brings back the memories of our youth and home. The accepted meaning of this phase is that something is only a short distance away. Using it metaphorically, to me it means that many of our best memories are only a stone’s throw away. That is the point of this piece. In Collection of Anthony DiPaulo 
We are all familiar with the saying “once in a blue moon”. A ‘blue moon” refers to any month that has two full moons occurring. It is a fairly rare occurrence but does happen. So that phrase has come to mean anything that is a rather rare, but not impossible event. This piece of sculpture features an obvious “blue” moon, but it also has two small blue orbs, one on each side of the sculpture. The smaller blue orbs represent two people that separately have had difficulty in establishing a lasting romantic relationship with anyone. The message of this sculpture is that no matter how many relationships have failed for each, there is a real possibility for a finding a lasting relationship out there for them. Have faith, it will happen. 
Here’s another piece that the title is a play on words. This is “A sign of the times”. The two elements of this sculpture are; the three vertical narrow round pieces on the base, and, the group of harrow tines above. Only the edges of the tines have been buffed so that they shine. This sculpture is meant to illustrate a view of today’s world as I have come to see it. The three buffed short vertical elements represent a family unit. The tines above and how they are positioned are meant to convey the turbulent and confusing times that we are all living in today. I see and feel that our world today is increasing in chaos, calamity and ultimately, in crises. These conditions seem to be pervading our entire world’s population; all countries, all communities and finally, all people and their families. It may be that we are just made more aware of these problems and conditions through the ever-increasing development in technology and communication capabilities that bring us face to face with these issues. There’s probably some truth to that thesis. However, I now believe that technology and better communication can actually help our planet’s health and therefore all species living on it. I truly believe that these calamitous times and stresses on our planet, i.e. global warming and the ever-increasing depletion of the earth’s natural resources are being truly caused by our species. As the saying goes, “Nothing lasts forever”, but that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t try. 
Here’s another piece that the title is a play on words. This is “A sign of the times”. The two elements of this sculpture are; the three vertical narrow round pieces on the base, and, the group of harrow tines above. Only the edges of the tines have been buffed so that they shine. This sculpture is meant to illustrate a view of today’s world as I have come to see it. The three buffed short vertical elements represent a family unit. The tines above and how they are positioned are meant to convey the turbulent and confusing times that we are all living in today. I see and feel that our world today is increasing in chaos, calamity and ultimately, in crises. These conditions seem to be pervading our entire world’s population; all countries, all communities and finally, all people and their families. It may be that we are just made more aware of these problems and conditions through the ever-increasing development in technology and communication capabilities that bring us face to face with these issues. There’s probably some truth to that thesis. However, I now believe that technology and better communication can actually help our planet’s health and therefore all species living on it. I truly believe that these calamitous times and stresses on our planet, i.e. global warming and the ever-increasing depletion of the earth’s natural resources are being truly caused by our species. As the saying goes, “Nothing lasts forever”, but that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t try. 
How do we recover and heal from those times in our lives that we have been hurt by either by words or deeds? Self-induced therapies can include many choices. Withdrawing from normal routines, becoming self-deprecating, avoidance of family, friends or work issues, dependency on medications, food or drinking, etc. Any one of these measures may work…but only for a while. I am certainly not trying to pretend to sound like a therapist, but instead just voicing what I believe and have found to be helpful. Step out of yourself and look back at what you see. Was your feeling of being wounded caused by something you did or didn’t do, said or didn’t say, how you acted or didn’t act? Be honest with yourself as impartially as possible, as if you were just an onlooker. If you find nothing, go through the same process again, but this time, through the eyes and/or mind of the person or issue that caused your feeling of being wounded. Could it be that they have, or the situation was, misinterpreted? The next step in this process is the “new resolve” part. Basically it means that if it was something on your side, take steps to correct it. If you feel that it was not something you said or did, explain that and move on with “new resolve”. If you feel that it was caused by you, apologize and/or correct it and then, move on with “new resolve”. In Collection of Deb Lenehan 
How do we recover and heal from those times in our lives that we have been hurt by either by words or deeds? Self-induced therapies can include many choices. Withdrawing from normal routines, becoming self-deprecating, avoidance of family, friends or work issues, dependency on medications, food or drinking, etc. Any one of these measures may work…but only for a while. I am certainly not trying to pretend to sound like a therapist, but instead just voicing what I believe and have found to be helpful. Step out of yourself and look back at what you see. Was your feeling of being wounded caused by something you did or didn’t do, said or didn’t say, how you acted or didn’t act? Be honest with yourself as impartially as possible, as if you were just an onlooker. If you find nothing, go through the same process again, but this time, through the eyes and/or mind of the person or issue that caused your feeling of being wounded. Could it be that they have, or the situation was, misinterpreted? The next step in this process is the “new resolve” part. Basically it means that if it was something on your side, take steps to correct it. If you feel that it was not something you said or did, explain that and move on with “new resolve”. If you feel that it was caused by you, apologize and/or correct it and then, move on with “new resolve”.
Douglass Gray – Artist’s Statement
I prefer working with steel for several reasons. For me, steel has both lyrical and stoic qualities. The apparent cold, hard qualities of the material can be softened by its form and the way light plays across the surfaces, as well as the warmth of the patina that the weathered surfaces provide. Most, if not all of my sculptures rely on a positive and negative space design concept that I have been intrigued with since my painting days. Also important are the ever changing shadows that occur within or around each piece. The fact that most of my pieces can be shown inside or outside is exciting to me because of changing persona that they take on depending on the surrounding environment and light. Lastly, I have to admit that I enjoy not only the envisioning of the pieces, but also the physical effort required to complete those visions.
www.douglassgraysculpture.com 