"This Is Something We Had To Go Through"
Steel and cast iron
7' x 14' x 1'

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James Davis received a BFA degree in sculpture from Virginia Commonwealth University and an MFA degree in sculpture from Ohio State University. Recently his works have been on exhibit at Rare Gallery in New York City, at McCaig-Welles Gallery in Brooklyn, ArtSpace Gallery in New Haven, and Rare Gallery in Miami. In 2006 Mr. Davis received the Harp Research Fellow Grant from Mississippi State University. He currently teaches sculpture at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg. "This Is Something We Had To Go Through" was previously exhibited at the 21st Rosen Outdoor Sculpture Competition at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina.

Artist Statement:

"The sculptures in this series deal with personal thoughts and experiences. The ideas derived from thinking about all the things a person has to go through in a life time. These things can be small or large, happy or sad, good or bad. Whatever the feeling may be, these are the things that direct you. Experiences make you who you are."

"All of these sculptures hold different meanings for me and for each viewer. I created actual passages that the viewers could go through so they could experience the feeling of going through something difficult. Everyone has to go through things they don't want to and those are all different for each person. The sculptures are a visual version of some of the things that I was afraid to go through."