Timothy Schmalz

Timothy Schmalz
Schmalz with the sculpture Let the Oppressed Go Free
Born1969 (age 54–55)
Elmira, Ontario, Canada
NationalityCanadian
Notable workHomeless Jesus

Timothy Schmalz (born 1969) is a Canadian sculptor based out of St. Jacobs, Ontario, Canada.[1] He focuses on religious figures and also has many public pieces. Schmalz is best known for his Homeless Jesus that he created in reaction to the many homeless living on the streets.[2][3] Schmalz conceives his sculptures with keen devotion to Catholicism and gives his time to each piece, sometimes taking as much as 10 years[4] forming the idea and sculpting it. Some of his works are created in series and others are single pieces. Schmalz has said, "If my sculptures are used by people as a tool to think, then I'm very happy."[4] Installments of his work have brought his visual message across the globe with Homeless Jesus having been displayed in many places including St. Peter's Basilica.[5]

Homeless Jesus, designed by Schmalz

Work

Although best known for his Homeless Jesus, Schmalz has also created many other pieces. On October 23, 2015, a 4-metre (13 ft) tall statue commemorating Gordon Lightfoot was unveiled in Orillia.[6] The statue, Golden Leaves, features young Lightfoot playing guitar surrounded by a ring of maple leaves. The leaves each contain an image inspired by one song. Schmalz plans to sculpt each leaf and place them along the Lightfoot Trail in Orillia and make duplicates that will be placed at locations fitting for each song.[7] A leaf inspired by the song Black Day in July was revealed in Tudhope Park on July 10, 2016, as the second installment in the Gordon Lightfoot Sculpture Park.[8][9]

Schmalz also created the Canadian Veterans Memorial. Schmalz worked every Canadian Armed Forces uniform into this piece that stretches towards the sky using perspective. He also networked through the local paper asking for families to send in images of family or friends who had served in the war.[10]

He has also created figures supporting firefighters and pro-life messages,[11] as well as one honoring Martin Luther and his 95 Theses through which, according to the artist, "the Word of God gloriously (was) released back into the world."[12]

Schmalz in 2021 completed sculpting 100 cantos of Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy to celebrate what would have been Dante's 700th birthday.[13]

See also

References

  1. ^ Rickard, Michelle (5 April 2012). "Artist sculpts the Gospels". Christian Week. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
  2. ^ Taylor, Emily. "Sculptor Timothy Schmalz on the story behind his "Homeless Jesus" | Visual Arts | NUVO News | Indianapolis, IN". Nuvo.net. Retrieved 2016-11-29.
  3. ^ Sufrin, Jon (23 October 2015). "'Homeless Jesus' sculptor Timothy Schmalz on controversy and compassion". CBC. CBC Arts. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
  4. ^ a b "Toronto Anglican parish welcomes Schmalz's latest Christ sculpture". Catholicregister.org. Retrieved 2016-11-29.
  5. ^ Donovan Vincent (2016-04-01). "Ontario artist's Homeless Jesus installed at Vatican | Toronto Star". Thestar.com. Retrieved 2016-11-29.
  6. ^ "Gordon Lightfoot statue unveiled in singer's hometown of Orillia | Toronto Star". Thestar.com. 2015-10-23. Retrieved 2016-11-29.
  7. ^ Brian Cross (2015-07-02). "Artist says Windsor riverfront would be 'amazing' location for his Black Day in July sculpture". Windsor Star. Retrieved 2016-11-29.
  8. ^ "Gordon Lightfoot Sculpture Park – Sculptures by TPS". Sculpturebytps.com. 2014-06-20. Retrieved 2016-11-29.
  9. ^ "Lightfoot at Mariposa for sculpture unveiling | Orillia Packet and Times". Orilliapacket.com. Retrieved 2016-11-29.
  10. ^ "Opinion: Canadian Veterans' Memorial in Waterloo touches the heart". Therecord.com. 2015-11-05. Retrieved 2016-11-29.
  11. ^ "Sculpture by Timothy P. Schmalz". sculpturebytps.com. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
  12. ^ "The Luther Sculpture". .historictrinity.org. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
  13. ^ "The Divine Comedy in sculpture: Timothy Schmalz". TheFlorentine.com. Sep 8, 2021. Retrieved April 25, 2023.