Contact: Phil Hearn
STARKVILLE, Miss.--A Mississippi State fine arts major from Germantown, Tenn., is the winner of a prestigious international award that recognizes young sculptors and encourages their continued commitment to the field.
Sarah Kindelan, 21, who will be a senior in MSU's sculpture program this fall, has won the 2005 International Sculpture Center's Outstanding Student Achievement in Contemporary Sculpture Award.
Her sculpture, titled "Stockpile," is a mixed-media work of aluminum foil, steel and a purchased cast-iron sink. It was among 19 winners out of 1,300 entries submitted by 322 young artists from 130 colleges, universities and art schools from four countries.
"The selection of the winners from such a vast pool of applicants is a testament to the artistic promise of the students' work," said ISC membership director Johannah Hutchison, citing a "rigorous and competitive" selection process by distinguished judges.
"We are excited for Sarah and very proud of her accomplishment," said Kay Demarsche, associate professor and head of the art department. "I am happy that our sculpture program has been able to provide her with the support needed to create this wonderful piece."
Hutchison said the 19 top award winners will participate in the Grounds for Sculpture's Fall/Winter Exhibition Oct. 8, 2005-Jan. 8, 2006 in Hamilton, N.J., at a site adjacent to the ISC headquarters.
"I think it's an amazing opportunity for Sarah to see her sculpture in a professional setting surrounded by other top-quality works," said MSU art instructor Mark Cowardin. "This award is much deserved recognition for Sarah's level of work."
"I am very honored to receive an award of this kind," said Kindelan, a University Honors Program student at MSU and the daughter of Juan and Brenda Kindelan of Germantown. "My hope is that Mississippi State's exposure through my involvement will draw more attention to our art department."
She said her sculpture "is an exploration of the idea of excess.
"Hollow foil dishes and pools of wrapped 'water' represent accumulated waste," Kindelan explained. "I constructed the dishes by wrapping foil around pots, removing the foil and gluing it back together.
"Therefore, they are hollow, as is the water pouring through the faucet and draining onto the floor," she said. "I purchased the cast-iron sink and built the steel support table."
Kindelan said she is looking forward to seeing how her sculpture is accepted in next fall's exhibit in relation to the diverse group of other young artists, adding, "Being a part of this exhibition is an important affirmation for me."
For more information, contact Kay Demarsche, associate professor and head of the MSU art department, at (662) 325-2970 or kud2@ra.msstate.edu; or Kindelan at sek28@msstate.edu.