Dream and a Chisel: Louisiana Sculptor Angela Gregory in Paris, 1925-1928

Angela Gregory, a notable twentieth-century American sculptor, pursued her passion for sculpting and studied under French artist Antoine Bourdelle in Paris. Her experiences in Paris inspired a prolific career and she became the first Louisiana woman sculptor to achieve international recognition. This memoir captures her journey and the importance of mentorships in an artists' life.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 248 pages
\n Publication date: 30 March 2019
\n Publisher: University of South Carolina Press
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Angela Gregory, a renowned American sculptor of the twentieth century, holds a significant position in the realm of Louisiana sculpture. In her autobiography titled A Dream and a Chisel, Gregory and Nancy Penrose delve into the profound desire she harbored as a teenager to embark on the journey of learning the art of carving stone and ultimately becoming a sculptor. Through unwavering determination and relentless perseverance, Gregory fulfilled her dream of studying under the guidance of French artist Antoine Bourdelle, who was widely regarded as France's greatest living sculptor during his time. Bourdelle's studio in Paris became a transformative hub where Gregory not only honed her sculpting techniques but also embraced the essence of life as an artist. Her experiences in Paris left an indelible mark on her artistic journey, inspiring a prolific sixty-year career that dominated a field traditionally dominated by men.

Upon her return to New Orleans from Paris, Gregory established her own studio in 1928, marking the beginning of a dedicated artistic pursuit. Her artistic contributions include the creation of bas-relief profiles for the Louisiana State Capitol, which was completed in 1932. She also sculpted the Bienville Monument, a bronze statue honoring the founder of New Orleans, in the 1950s. Gregory's artistic portfolio encompasses a wide range of sculptures, including monuments, sculptures incorporated into buildings, portrait busts, medallions, and various other forms that can be found in museums and public spaces across the state of Louisiana. Notably, she was the first Louisiana woman sculptor to achieve international recognition. At the age of thirty-five, Gregory was honored as one of the few women recognized as a fellow of the National Sculpture Society. Her work has been showcased in prestigious group shows at renowned museums, including the Salon des Tuileries and the Salon dAutomne in Paris, the Palace of the Legion of Honor in San Francisco, the National Collection of Fine Arts in the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., and more.

Angela Gregory's remarkable journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring artists, demonstrating that with unwavering passion and dedication, one can overcome obstacles and achieve greatness in the art world. Her contributions to sculpture have left an enduring legacy, enriching the cultural landscape of Louisiana and beyond.

\n Weight: 486g\n
Dimension: 161 x 236 x 25 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781611179774\n \n