Creator Record
Metadata
Name |
Bomberry, Vince |
Notes |
Vince Bomberry Cayuga Nation, Wolf CLan Vince Bomberry has lived at Six Nations for most of his life. His first attempts at carving were with wood at the age of 12. Shortly afterward Vince shifted his focus to stone, the material he is best known for today. He recalls no real instruction, but acknowledges the value of watching gifted community members such as Jake Thomas, Sr. and Bradley Logan carve lacrosse sticks, masks and other items. Early in his artistic journey Bomberry's carvings were influenced by abstraction and the simultaneous perspectives characteristic of Cubism. Today his work, drawn from Haudenosaunee tradition and symbolism, continues to feature composite imagery and/or opposing elements of human nature. He occasionally uses pneumatic tools to shape the raw alabaster and Brazilian soapstone, but most of his sculpting is accomplished with hand chisel and file. Completed pieces are wet sanded to achieve the lustrous finish he seeks. Despite the length of time Bomberry has exercised his craft and the difficulty of working primarily outdoors, no other profession has merited his attention. Despite fluctuations in the art market and the cost and physical challenges of his material, Vince remains passionate about his artistic practice. Large scale projects represent his most compelling personal accomplishments. The Woodland Cultural Center (Brantford, Ontario) commissioned Bomberry to create a homage to the Two Row wampum for Planet IndigenUs (2012). The work was constructed with painted wooden posts and stands 40 foot in length. Such endeavors furnish Bomberry with remarkable momentum. On one such project he recalls, "I didn't want to sleep. I couldn't wait to get back to work on it." Bomberry is represented in a number of private and public collections including the Museum of Civilization (Ottawa), the Woodland Cultural Center (Brantford, Ontario), the Seneca-Iroquois National Museum (Salamanca, NY), Ganondagan Historic Site (Victor, NY) and the Iroquois Indian Museum (Howes Cave, NY). *Bio text cannot be used in print or web publications without IIM permission. Use for other purposes (such as research papers, presentations) should credit the IIM. |
Related Records
-
24:10 - Sculpture - Soapstone
Olive green soapstone cup (small) w/ geometric pattern etched around outside of entire cup. Artist signature on bottom of cup.
Record Type: Object
-
87:178 - Sculpture-stone
Dark green soapstone sculpture featuring corn and female head. Right side of woman's head depicts seed growing; on the left side braided hair/corn stalk ears of corn are hung to dry. The angular shaped head is suspended by long graceful strands of hair over a 'hospitality' bowl filled with corn meal and decorated on borders with geometric patterns. Signed by the artist.
Record Type: Object
-
88:127 - Sculpture-stone
Soapstone sculpture of upper torso and head of man. Figure dressed in fringed shirt with round, incised pendant. Blanket is draped around shoulder. Right hand is exposed from edge of blanket. Edges of blanket & pendant feature incised detailing. Artist states that the work "Represents the Indian of today who tries to remain traditional but the world around him makes it hard to stick to the old values."
Record Type: Object
-
90:124 - Sculpture-stone
Stone carving featuring a human face portrayed frontally. Carved feather extends down one side of face to "shoulder." Hair of figure carved in such a way to form a large open circle that serves as a base for the head. Stone is light tan.
Record Type: Object