Anthony James Alemany, NSS

Artist Statement

I see art as a language that speaks without words and transcends culture and time. I’m particularly drawn to the nude figure in art. The human body is beautiful and mysterious and yet so familiar – nothing is more relatable than seeing the power in our common humanity. This is a theme that many artists explore in different ways. I like to describe the subject matter of my work by focusing on the human form as the language of beauty. The figure becomes an avenue for me to externalize hidden emotions, both primal and complex. 

For tens of thousands of years, society has evolved tremendously and yet biologically we have changed very little. I don’t like feeling confined by modern assumptions or past prejudices; this is why I use nudity as a tool to remove barriers that tether our assumptions to specific times, places, and cultures. I’d say this is because my journey has been one torn.

I’m half Puerto Rican and half white. I can pass as white, but I never really felt like I belonged to that tribe. I have too much Reggaeton and Pico de Gallo in my blood. Then again, I never really felt like I fit in the Hispanic tribe either. I don’t look Hispanic, and I’m not fluent in Spanish. I’m not white enough for some people, and I’m not Hispanic enough for others. Having my feet in both worlds created a tension that Art helped me escape. It was the one thing that gave me an avenue to express myself and build connections.

As we collectively move forward, we reach for the stars, we dive into pools of dreams and we cast off old systems that shackle our ability to connect, yet one thing remains constant: we are drawn to the primal beauty of humanity. We view nature through our experiences, or as I like to say, the human form as the language of beauty.

Biography

Anthony Alemany is a figurative sculptor in South Berwick, Maine. He was born in Chattanooga, TN and grew up in Ringgold, GA. Anthony graduated with a BFA from the Savannah College of Art and Design and traveled to Italy to study at the Florence Academy of Art for a foundation in traditional sculpture. After moving to Maine, he worked for 8 years in business management and discovered his passion for sculpture was inescapable. Anthony is a full-time sculptor, an elected member of the National Sculpture Society, and his work has been exhibited in museums and galleries in both national and international competitions.

Exhibitions

2022     Crème de la Crème Art Center / Dover, NH

2021    Positivity: New England Sculptors Association, Newburyport, MA A regionall juried exhibition of sculpture.

2020 87th Annual Juried Exhibition: Hudson Valley and Lime Art Association, Lime, CT - A national juried exhibition of realist art and sculpture.

2020    Take A Stand: The Attleboro Museum, Attleboro, MA - A New England juried exhibition of sculpture.

2020    Portrait Sculpting Class: Sanctuary Arts Gallery, Eliot, ME-Taught a 10-week class centered on sculpting the portrait from a live model.

2019    Winter Show Exhibition: Sanctuary Arts Gallery, Eliot, ME-Juried artist exhibition featuring a showcase of recent work.

2019 MFA Late Nites: Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA- Invited to be a featured artist and to showcase work during the Late Nites Event

2019 Portraiture Show: 100 Market Gallery, Portsmouth, NH- Juried exhibition of portrait art from New England work

2019 Late Summer Exhibition: Barn Gallery, Ogunquit, ME

2019 Invited New England Sculpture show: Barn Gallery, Ogunquit, ME- Invited to show work in the sculpture gallery for the season

2019 76th Annual Regional Exhibition: Arnot Art Museum, Elmira, NY- Juried exhibition of artwork from the north east

2018 12 Cubed: Todd Art Gallery, Murfreesboro, TN- National Juried exhibition of artwork smaller than 12 inches

2018 SAAG National Juried Show: Richard Low Evan Gallery, Blue Ridge, GA

Awards

2021    Juror’s Award and People’s Choice Award: New England Sculptors Association. Newburyport, MA. Positivity Show: A regional juried exhibition at the Newburyport Art Association.

2020 Pietro Montana Memorial Award for Khronos: Hudson Valley Art Association, Lyme, CT

2019 Richard McDermott Miller Competition: National Sculpture Society, NYC- One of ten sculptors juried nationally to compete in a 5-hour portrait sculpting competition from life

2019 Highly Commended: 100 Market Gallery, Portsmouth, NH

2019 Finalist in Sculpture: The Art Renewal Center’s International Salon

2011 3rd Place in sculpture for Samantha: The Art Renewal Center’s International Salon

2010 2nd Place in sculpture for Samantha: Utrecht 2nd Annual Art Competition