GRANT RODRIGUE’S ARTWORK

Reiziger, 2013, 15″ x 5″ x 5″, Low-fire Ceramic

Untitled – Functional Welding Helmet side view, 2013, 12″ x 12″ x 10″, 16 Gauge Steel and #5 Acetylene Lenses

Untitled – Functional Welding Helmet, 2013, 12″ x 12″ x 10″, 16 Gauge Steel and #5 Acetylene Lenses

Remains of a Hedonist, 2013, 7″ x 7″ x 8″, Cast Iron and Speakers with Audio

SONY DSC

Reliquary, 2013, 15″ x 10″ x 10″, Cast Aluminum, Mixed Media, and Video Monitor

SONY DSC

Reliquary side view, 2013, 15″ x 10″ x 10″, Cast Aluminum, Mixed Media, and Video Monitor

Reliquary - Detail of Video Monitor, 2013, 15″ x 10″ x 10″, Cast Aluminum, Mixed Media, and Video Monitor

SONY DSC

Farewell, Spaceman, 2012, 8″ x 6″ x 6″, low-fire ceramic

Dragon Statuette Bottle Opener, 2012-2013, 3″ x 2″ x 1″, cast iron

ARTIST’S STATEMENT

Being a full-time sculpture student is one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever chosen to do. I get to build things, gain a sensibility for a variety of materials, solve problems, and learn a little about myself in the process. The only downside to it all is the time required to make something I can be proud of. By the fall of 2013, this time requirement had really taken a toll on my financial situation. Between being in class all day and working in the studio on nights and weekends, there just did not seem to be room for a job. I had money for food and transportation, but finding the extra funds for art supplies was always a challenge. When I saw the fliers go up for the Mitch Hebert Scholarship I had this gut feeling that told me if I did not apply, I would be sorry. I was fairly confident in my work at the time, my grades were decent, and I definitely needed the help.

I am so glad I made the decision to apply. Upon receiving the scholarship, I found that I could afford all the supplies I needed and then some. Without this generous scholarship and all the people behind it, I really do not think I would have been able to finish that fall semester. Thanks in a very large part to the Hebert family I was able to push through to senior proposal and get approved to start work on my senior gallery exhibition. There is no way I can fully express how grateful I am to be able to graduate in December, 2014. Thank you a million times over.

- Grant Rodrigue: 2013 Mitch Hebert Scholarship Winner

ARTIST’S BIO

Grant Rodrigue was born and raised in Thibodaux, Louisiana. Since early childhood, he has held a deep-seated interest in creating and building things. Castles made from Lego blocks and model robots were a common sight in his toy chest. His formal education in the visual arts before college was minimal, however, because he was following an interest in music. Upon entering Nicholls State University, Grant realized visual art was what he really wanted to do. Recently, he has taken a liking to cast metal and ceramic sculpture and has become active in several Nicholls Art organizations. Now nearing the completion of a bachelor’s degree in fine art, he has started work on his senior gallery exhibition to be held in the fall of 2014.