ROSE
VAN VRANKEN
The sculptures
of Rose Van Vranken are primarily based on nature-plants, sea forms, animals,
rocks and people. The semi-abstract forms are designed to capture the basic spirit
or essence of the subject, and are influenced by early Greek, Chinese and Egyptian
Art. The fundamental technique is direct carving in stone or wood. Bronze castings
are made from these carvings. Besides the carvings, Van Vranken has experimented
with other material and has made castings in handmade paper, polyester resin and
fiberglass, and has combined techniques of carving and modeling together.
Many
of Van Vranken's sculptures - both realist and abstract - have been designed by
fragmenting a large sculpture into other shapes and sizes to create new images.
The sculpture
and graphics of Rose Van Vranken have been exhibited throughout the United States
in many major national and regional shows and have won many awards. Etchings were
selected for a touring exhibition in Europe by the National Association of Women
Artists and were shown in the Stedelijke Museum in Amsterdam and in five other
museums. The U.S. State Department has included Van Vranken Sculpture in its Art
in Embassies Program.
Recent
awards have included a "Life Time Achievement Award" from "Sculptors Dominion"
based in San Antonio, and an honor award from Salmagundi Club for being a member
for 25 years. Since joining Salmagundi in 1979 Van Vranken has won over 30 Salmagundi
Awards.
Significant
Collections: Coventry Cathedral, Coventry England; St. Cyril
of Alexandria Church, Houston; Museum of Fine Arts, University of Iowa; Des Moines
Art Center, Iowa; Mitchell Energy Corporation, Houston; John Whitney Payson Family
collection, New York City; Laguna Gloria Museum, Austin, Texas; Robert Mosbacher,
Houston; Walter Sterling, Houston; Dr. and Mrs. John Benfield, Los Angeles; Walter
Ross Collection, Palm Beach, Florida; Jacquelyn Mitchard, Madison, Wisconsin;
Attorney Mark W. Smith, Austin, Texas; Dr. Atef Daniel, Geneva, Switzerland; Texas
Commerce Bank, Houston; M.D, Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX; Samuel Barker
Collection, Birmingham, Alabama; Finial Investment Corporation, Houston; Crowne
Plaza Hotels, Houston; Maryville Academy, Chicago; Biblical Art Center Museum,
Dallas; University of Dayton, Dayton, Ohio; Texas Investment Bank, Houston; Pomona
College, Claremont, California; Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts; Brand
Library, Glendale, California; Salmagundi Club Collection, New York City; Houston
Baptist University, Houston; McAllen International Museum, McAllen, Texas.
