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Becker Gallery & Permanent Art Collection

Information on the Becker Gallery and the permanent art collection.

Shamu Musandi Art

Musandi stone sculpture teacher reading to child

Shamu Musandi

Learning

Spring, 2015

Spring Stone

Acquired by Otterbein University Art Department during Spirits in Stone: Contemporary African Sculpture from Zimbabwe. Co Hosted with Mid-Ohio Food Bank

Otterbein University Global Collection

Ken Foltz Art

Ken Foltz Wood Sculpture 488 Freedom

Ken Foltz

#488 Freedom

Date Unknown 

White Pine on Granite Base

Generously on Loan From Juanita Foltz

 

Shamu Musandi, Artist

Chipo Musandi pictured making a sculpture

In an interview, Chipo explains that these remarkable stone sculptures are what they call "spirits." The project has provided a unique opportunity for them to support Kunda Village, a sustainable community in Zimbabwe.

Chipo shares how her involvement with Kunda Village began through work with individuals who came to Columbus for leadership training. She explains that through this connection, they realized how interconnected the world truly is and how much we can learn from one another by sharing our valuable resources. Kunda Village is described as an inspiring place, dedicated to helping its community members sustain themselves and support one another.

Chipo talks about how she began creating art at the age of five, learning the craft from her father, a well-known sculptor. Now, she passes these skills down to her children, since Zimbabwe lacks formal art schools. She explains that when creating a sculpture, she doesn’t impose a design but listens to the stone. For several days, she observes the stone until the image within reveals itself. Only then does she start carving, bringing the trapped artwork to life.

Ken Foltz, Artist

 Ken Foltz picture by his sculpture

Otterbein University Class of 1948

Dr. Ken Foltz, a retired Osteopathic Physician, began his artistic endeavors at age 40. His first creation was a clay head of himself he made when he was on vacation. He added that desire is important for an artist. He said that creativity is something we don't know much about and you can learn arts and crafts but you can't learn creativity and that the problem is to develop your own creativity. He likened his own creative process to a seed: it has to germinate and grow into a beautiful plant.