| Posted on March 30, 2005 Artist replicates
landmarks in By Linda
Conley | Staff Writer Lin Barnhardt decided years ago to combine his interest in architecture, sculpture and painting to create clay models of historic structures. For almost 10 years, he has created replicas of prominent landmarks such as drug stores, houses, lighthouses and churches. He has created models of structures across the country, including some in both North and South Carolina. Some of those models and others can be seen through May 8 in an exhibition titled "Homage to Hopper" and other works in the Burwell Gallery at the Spartanburg County Museum of Art. More than 20 models are on display, including several based on paintings by noted American scene artist Edward Hopper (1882-1967). The models are built to show the structures from different viewpoints and angles. "Visitors don't see the typical viewpoint that is seen from the street," Barnhardt said. "They are seeing the structures from the sunny side or shade side and at different angles." Scott Cunningham, exhibits coordinator at the Spartanburg County Museum of Art, said Barnhardt's sculptures give the museum another chance to showcase a talented area artist. "Lin comes from a tiny town in North Carolina that has a rich cultural heritage," Cunningham said. "His models are incredible pieces of art." Barnhardt, a middle school art teacher in Mt. Pleasant, N.C., said he selects some of his models based on Hopper's work because he likes the painter's use of light and shadows. When he started making models, he looked for buildings that appealed to him or had an interesting story. His first model was of a drug store in downtown Mt. Pleasant that has become a landmark. He started the project by taking photos of the building from several angles. He uses several rolls of film on each structure to make sure he gets as many angles as possible. He said the work is done based on math calculations and proportions. His work caught the attention of both arts and historical groups. In 1998, Barnhardt received a regional grant from the Charlotte/Mecklenburg Arts and Science Council. The project involved creating models of churches in Charleston. In 2000, he received national recognition when his work was accepted into 10 exhibitions. He received more recognition the following year when the North Carolina Arts Council selected him along with three other artists to design and create an ornament for the White House. Barnhardt's ornament impressed the White House staff so much that it was featured on a Christmas special hosted by Home and Garden Television. The work is art but it also has preservation significance because some of the structures he created are now gone. Barnhardt said he likes being able to preserve the history of structures. He now receives information from others about buildings that might make good projects. He is working on several projects now, including a synagogue in Statesville, N.C., and some structures from other Hopper paintings. Some of his Hopper models will be on display in August 2006 at the painter's childhood home in Nyack, N.Y., which has been restored and made into an arts center. Artists have used Hopper's work as an inspiration, but this is the first time that an artist has made ceramic sculptures from his work," said Cathy Shiga-Gattullo, director of Edward Hopper House Art Center in Nyack. "I have seen some of Lin's work. I like how he changes the scale and makes some look abstract because it truly makes the pieces works of art. They are tremendous fun." Linda Conley
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