Rick Lazes is a North Carolina sculptor who has been creating sculpture for three decades. Rick is currently working on two series: “The World Is Bending” which is made up of steam bent hardwoods and “Liquid Art” which are reverse painted on Plexiglas and then melted. While the two mediums are quite different the sensuous shapes are similar in their fluid elegance. Rick graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in architecture and sociology. He is an inventor and the holder of several patents for innovative environmental friendly technologies employed in 60 countries. One of his inventions, the Auto Boom™, was used extensively on the BP oil spill to mitigate the environmental impact from that massive spill. Artist, Inventor and Entrepreneur - Rick’s professional career includes his work as a real estate developer and concert promoter. He has produced hundreds of concerts in 30 states, live music festivals and TV shows for HBO and Cinemax. STATEMENT“I create vibrant and sensuous sculpture that is a manifestation of my passion for music.In my series Liquid Art I begin by painting with high temperature paint on acrylic panels. After each painting is complete, I laser cut the panel into a curvilinear shapes, then heat them to 400 degrees in a custom-designed oven and shape it by hand using insulated gloves. Each piece is a unique emotional statement complete with the varied dynamics and decisive unity of a musical composition.To create my World Is Bending series I steam bend hard woods (walnut, cherry, maple and poplar) into organic forms exposing the natural beauty of the wood’s grain. My goal is to fuse balance with tension, structure and elegance.“ EDUCATIONBachelor of Arts, Sociology and ArchitectureUNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA | PHILADELPHIA, PA Museums2021 The Akron Art Museum, Akron, OH2021 The Jimmy Stewart Museum, Indiana, PA2020 Martha’s Vineyard Museum, Martha’s Vineyard, MA2020 Mint Museum, Charlotte, NC2019 Cornell Museum of Art, Delray Beach, FL GROUP SHOWS2021 Carolina Art Collective, Art Basel, Miami, FL2019 Georges Berges Gallery, Berlin, Germany2017 Haen Galleries, Asheville and Brevard, NC2015 Steinway Piano Collection, New York, NY2014 Gallerie Du Marais, Paris, France2012 Pace Gallery, Los Angeles, CA2011 Angela King Gallery, New Orleans, LA2009 Angela King Gallery, New Orleans, LA PUBLIC INSTALLATIONS AND COMMISSIONS2019 TRIBUNAL, AvidXchange headquarters, Charlotte, NC2018 STRADELLA, Bel Air Residence, Los Angeles, CA2013 LA MOBILE, AvidXchange office tower, Charlotte, NC2012 TIPPING POINT, North Carolina Music Factory, Charlotte, NC2012 HANDS, Democratic National Convention, Charlotte, North Carolina2010 BARTH’S, Eden Rock Hotel, St. Barthelemy, French West Indies