DATE: 1/5/06

CONTACT: Ernie Denny, (864) 650-8841

WRITER: Diane Palmer, (864) 656-4741

Artist will restore sculpture he built at Botanical Garden

CLEMSON – A wooden bridge structure in the S.C. Botanical Garden -- covered with red clay, cement and granite -- will soon be getting a face lift.

Nature-based artist Brian Rust of Augusta, Ga. will return in February to revision the " Earthen Bridge," the nature-based sculpture he built in 1996. It was the Garden’s third sculpture.

“’ Earthen Bridge’ was conceived both as functional object and sculptural metaphor,” said Rust. “I was inspired by the Botanical Garden with its contrast between formal and natural areas. It is, like all of my artworks, created for the curious at heart.”

“Time and people have had a significant impact on ‘ Earthen Bridge’ since Brian created the work 10 years ago, and we are delighted to have him return to give it a facelift,” said Ernie Denny, program facilitator for the Garden.

Rust will expand the piece and strengthen it, incorporating living plant material and design steps to the Hortitherapy Garden.

Rust teaches sculpture at Augusta State University. His art creations are scattered throughout the United States.

“ Earthen Bridge” is one of 13 sculptures constructed since 1995.

Each artist selects a site from various landscapes and habitats throughout the Garden. Once a site is selected, the artist designs the artwork based on his or her impression of the site.

The sculptures are created from natural materials. Some artists choose to work only with materials collected from or near the site. Others prefer to work with material that is indigenous to the region, and some blend the two.

For more information on the sculpture program, visit the garden’s website at: http://www.clemson.edu/scbg/.

Support your state botanical garden by being a "Friends of the Garden" member. Contact Christine Drais at (864) 656-6205, for more information.

The Garden is on the Clemson University campus at the intersection of Highway 76 and Perimeter Road. It encompasses 295 acres of gardens, streams and woodlands and is open year-round from sunrise to sunset free of charge.

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