Artist Carl Solberg, of Waldoboro, stands next to one of his wood sculptures currently on exhibit at the Maine Coastal Islands NWR Visitor Center, 9 Water St. in Rockland. Solberg will talk about his work on Wednesday, July 10 at 6:30 p.m. The exhibit runs through July 19.
On Wednesday, July 10, at 6:30 p.m., Carl Solberg, Waldoboro sculptor, will talk about how the wood speaks to him and how his sculptures come about. This talk, along with his current exhibition, is at the Maine Coastal Islands NWR Visitor Center, 9 Water St. in Rockland.
Solberg is a retired Parks Director and Open Space and Greenways Planner from Delaware who draws from those experiences to see the calm interior of natural landscapes. His work in sculpture began in 2012 and he now has his first solo exhibition at Maine Coastal Islands NWR Visitor Center.
“Guru’s Moon” by Carl Solberg.
This is the first comprehensive display of native hardwood works by the sculptor in our local area and his first occasion to speak about his work. His current exhibition at Maine Coastal Islands features 17 pieces covering five years of work depicting the vastness and intimacy of both landscapes and figures. The unusually large wall sculptures were inspired by scenes from coastal and forested landscapes, open ocean, slender snow laden branches, and other imagery. “North Woods Rising,” a 28-square foot high relief wall construction, evokes the deep beauty within the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument at night. A 30-square foot companion piece, “Guru’s Moon,” heralds the full moon rising out of the Muscongus Bay among rich layers of clouds. Figure sculptures include a tribute to Muhammad Ali, a whale and her calf at sea, and a young athlete in the prime of her conditioning. The show’s centerpiece is “A Myth of Fundy Bay,” a depiction of an entranced mermaid on the sea floor.
“As in all other things,” Solberg says of his work, “I am still trying to find my way since my retirement as a conservation planner and parks manager. This show at the Maine Coastal Islands NWR Gallery is on a continuum with my conservation and water quality advocacy. I am pleased to help support the Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge.”
The show runs through July 19. For more information, call 594-0600 ext. 5.
