Clemente
Spampinato
was born in Calabria, Italy in 1912. At a young age while being schooled in
the classical arts in Rome, he developed a keen love for both art and athletics.
He became a devoted follower of top Italian sporting events. He befriended many
of Italy's top-flight athletes including the great Olympic Champions. In the
1930's & '40's he was commissioned to
sculpt many Bronze Trophies & Medallions for the
Olympics and other Italian sporting events.
Although
Spampinato became a successful artist in Italy, he longed for much more. In
1947 he became an American citizen and moved to SoHo, New York, which became
his new home.
His newfound
passion was the "American West". He was inspired by the legends of American
Cowboys & Indians. He specialized in sport and western sculptures. He lived
a full life of art and sport and then quietly passed away in New York in December
1993.
BASKETBALL
PLAYERS
P.S. 140, Bronx, New York
His
sculpture
captures the 'essence of movement' beautifully when the human
body is at the 'greatest point of height, speed and dynamics'. His belief
that art, in particular sculpture, has its objective solidly rooted in tradition.
He has been admired for his ability to bring to life the complex movements
of sport and western life while at the same time maintaining a strong sense
of realism. Each bronze sculpture is cast in special limited editions and
is handcrafted in the "lost wax" method.
In
more recent times, Spampinato has been involved in several one-man exhibitions,
including in 1968 a 'Sport and Western' exhibit at the National Art Museum
of Sport at the Madison Square Garden in New York. His show, a "Salute to
the Olympics", held at the Abercrombie & Fitch Gallery in New York, was
a gala benefit to raise funds for the 1972 Olympic Games.
Among
his many achievements,
Spampinato was commissioned by the Class Committee of the United States Naval
Academy to create a bronze statue of the 'Navy Goat' mascot at Annapolis,
Maryland. In 1974, he was selected to create the greater-than-life size bronze
of the famous golfer, Bobby Jones, now on permanent display in the World Golf
Hall of Fame in Pinehurst, North Carolina. A few years later in 1980, he was
chosen to exhibit his works during the XIII WINTER OLYMPIAD at Lake Placid,
New York. The United States Information Agency chose Mr. Spampinato to represent
the United States in the European and Russian exhibitions entitled 'Reflections:
Images of America'. He was a Fellow of many distinguished organizations, including
the National Sculpture Society, the International American Institute and the
Gold Medal Artists Committee of International Fine Arts Council.
Clemente Spampinato's
bronzes are displayed in many museums and collections both private and public
throughout the United States, Canada and Europe.
