(1940 - 2013)

Michael Orgel's work derives from a strong background in human anatomy and lifelong study of organic form. While his sculpture is not always suggestive of the human figure, it invariably has anthropomorphic aspiration, and many of his sculptural ideas have originated from objects found in nature to which he gave a human quality. The design of this work comes from a natural form removed from its context, and transformed by drawings and three-dimensional imaging into a form with new meaning. Considerable time was spent in the development of a virtual sculpture, which gave Orgel a vivid understanding of the form. Then, the physical carving continued the creative process, of course, ever modified by the whims of the material.

Michel Orgel used stone to carve the long flowing curves with strong edges and negative space that often characterize his work. Carving began with a two-dimensional approach to the stone in which two planes of the created image (separated by 90 degrees) were extruded from the material. Defining lines were laid out on each plane and "joined in space" to become the foundation of the work. Then, carving progressed to a definitive three-dimensional state of the sculpture in a stone/sculptor collaboration.

Rough to smooth finishing of the carved work was an integral part of Orgel's process. It allowed the artist to give the final stone surface a glowing luster that adds a tactile dimension and invites touching.

Michael Orgel, originally from Canton, Ohio, was based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. His fine-art sculpture is found in private and public collections. He worked in bronze, marble and wood.

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