Peter Forster

Artist Statement

## Artist Statement

My work is rooted in the belief that sculpture is not merely the creation of form, but the revelation of beauty already hidden within the material. I am drawn to the discipline of direct carving because it demands complete engagement with the stone. Every decision is permanent. There is no mechanical transfer, no pointing machine, and no opportunity to retreat. The sculptor must respond to the marble with patience, humility, and conviction.

I regard marble not as an obstacle to overcome, but as a collaborator in the creative process. Each block possesses its own structure, character, and possibilities. Rather than forcing a preconceived solution upon the stone, I seek to discover the form through an ongoing dialogue between hand, eye, and material.

My artistic philosophy is shaped by the classical tradition and by the Christian understanding that beauty reveals truth. Through harmony, proportion, rhythm, and movement, sculpture has the capacity to elevate the human spirit beyond itself.

I am particularly drawn to two enduring principles of Renaissance sculpture: *figura serpentinata* and *non finito*. The rhythmic movement of *figura serpentinata* invites the eye to travel continuously through the form, while *non finito* reminds us that mystery is not the enemy of beauty. There are moments when the marble itself speaks most eloquently by remaining partially revealed, inviting the viewer's imagination to complete what has intentionally been left unsaid. The unfinished is not an absence of completion, but an acknowledgment that no work of art can fully exhaust the mystery it seeks to express.

In an age increasingly defined by mechanical reproduction, I remain committed to the ancient discipline of direct carving. It is slower, more demanding, and less forgiving, but it preserves an intimate relationship between artist and material that cannot be replicated by machine.

I believe sacred art should not merely decorate places of worship but invite contemplation. Through the *Via Pulchritudinis*—the Way of Beauty—I hope my work encourages viewers to pause, to wonder, and ultimately to encounter something that points beyond the sculpture itself.