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TRUDY

$40,000.00

Carrara marble

19"h X 12"w X 15"d, 2011

Artist Statement

Being on the cusp of turning 50, no doubt, was a catalyst for creating this piece. I wanted to address head-on the issue that makes us so different from every other living creature that we are aware that we age and we know that we will die. This causes us to live our lives very differently than if we were not aware of this fact. It doesn't matter if you are Christian, Buddhist, atheist, or whatever! My main intention with this sculpture was to give enough information so that people could pick up on the aging theme.

But most importantly, once they get it, I am interested in the very different reactions based on what the viewer "brings" to the piece and how they feel about aging and their own impending death. For me, the power of the piece comes from this "mirror" effect. The reason I chose a woman instead of a man is that our society so much values youth and beauty in females and therefore, I can imagine that the aging process can be much more difficult for women.

— Doug Thielscher

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Carrara marble

19"h X 12"w X 15"d, 2011

Artist Statement

Being on the cusp of turning 50, no doubt, was a catalyst for creating this piece. I wanted to address head-on the issue that makes us so different from every other living creature that we are aware that we age and we know that we will die. This causes us to live our lives very differently than if we were not aware of this fact. It doesn't matter if you are Christian, Buddhist, atheist, or whatever! My main intention with this sculpture was to give enough information so that people could pick up on the aging theme.

But most importantly, once they get it, I am interested in the very different reactions based on what the viewer "brings" to the piece and how they feel about aging and their own impending death. For me, the power of the piece comes from this "mirror" effect. The reason I chose a woman instead of a man is that our society so much values youth and beauty in females and therefore, I can imagine that the aging process can be much more difficult for women.

— Doug Thielscher

Carrara marble

19"h X 12"w X 15"d, 2011

Artist Statement

Being on the cusp of turning 50, no doubt, was a catalyst for creating this piece. I wanted to address head-on the issue that makes us so different from every other living creature that we are aware that we age and we know that we will die. This causes us to live our lives very differently than if we were not aware of this fact. It doesn't matter if you are Christian, Buddhist, atheist, or whatever! My main intention with this sculpture was to give enough information so that people could pick up on the aging theme.

But most importantly, once they get it, I am interested in the very different reactions based on what the viewer "brings" to the piece and how they feel about aging and their own impending death. For me, the power of the piece comes from this "mirror" effect. The reason I chose a woman instead of a man is that our society so much values youth and beauty in females and therefore, I can imagine that the aging process can be much more difficult for women.

— Doug Thielscher

 

In the evocative sculpture "Trudy," artist Douglas Thielscher embarks on a profound exploration of the human experience, delving into the intricate tapestry of aging and mortality.

This captivating work transcends aesthetics to become a poignant meditation on the profound awareness that sets humans apart—the realization of our finite existence and the relentless flow of time.

Inspired by the threshold of turning 50, Thielscher embarks on a visual journey that unravels the existential questions arising at this milestone. "Trudy" is a striking portrayal of an aged woman's face, meticulously chiseled into the pristine Carrara marble. This visage, resting atop a vertical, inverted wooden casket, symbolizes the intricate interplay between life and death—a testament to the inextricable connection that binds them together. The sculpture's narrative unfolds as youth and aging coalesce, where a baby's head and the silhouette of a young face gracefully merge with the mature countenance, mirroring the cyclical nature of human existence. Notably, a clock resides within the head, serving as a poignant and unceasing reminder of the relentless passage of time, illuminating our mortality and the finite nature of our earthly voyage.

Thielscher's artistic odyssey in "Trudy" traverses beyond the boundaries of the visual to delve deep into introspection and contemplation.

The sculpture's evocative power emerges as a mirror, reflecting the myriad and profoundly personal emotions each viewer brings to it. The deliberate choice to depict a woman's face underscores society's pervasive emphasis on youth and beauty, inviting contemplation on the distinct challenges of the aging process, particularly for women. "Trudy" beckons the observer to confront their own perceptions of aging and mortality, igniting a dialogue about the shared human experience we all traverse—the ceaseless march of time and its profound impact on our lives.