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..The Rome Area Council for the Arts celebrated a local artist for her lifetime dedication to both art and her community Sunday afternoon during a ceremony at Forrest Place.
Susan Gilbert Harvey, a sculptor, performance artist and published author, was given the RACA Lifetime Achievement Award.
“I feel very honored and very pleased to be honored by my hometown,” said Harvey.
Since 1979, Harvey, also known as “The Junk Woman,” has been known for her sculptures composed mostly of household implements and junkyard items.
In Washington, D.C, she created an assemblage of portraits of powerful men in American society.
“Susan is a talented writer, and her artwork has always been on the cutting edge,” said Allen Bell, executive director of RACA. “She has blurred the lines between genres, and I think that’s what makes her an important artist for Rome as well as the Southeast.”
Harvey i
Sandra Meek is Artist of the Year. |
s also the creator of Standing Ovation, the annual vernal equinox egg standing held since 1985 at Rome’s Clock Tower each spring. She was also RACA Artist of the Year in 1995.
In her visual narrative “Role Call,” Harvey portrays the classic Southern Belle who is mysteriously transformed into the mighty Junk Woman.
Other characters in this autobiographical myth include Monk Woman, Florence Day and Nightingale, and The Lunatic Moth.
She published her first book in 2005, Tea with Sister Anna: a Paris journal, which celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Hollins University
(Virginia) study abroad program in Paris. Harvey received her degree in art history from the school.
“I’m not retir
Siri Gundersen receives the Emerging Artist Award. |
ing,” she giggled. “I’m working on my second book, which I hope to have published next year.”
Two other artists and one art lover were recognized for their achievements Sunday night.
Painter Siri Gundersen was given the Emerging Artist Award, while Artist of the Year went to writer Sandra Meek. The Golden Fan Award was given to Tom Caldwell.
