Making mobiles comes from my passion for architecture, poetic space and meaningful places. Building on the tradition of Alexander Calder, I work to understand and extend the language of mobiles by animating form, space and surface with motion.
Working with abstractions, without the restraints of literal interpretation, many of my forms come from my memory of a shape rather than a direct adaptation. Many of the forms are inspired by the natural world. I also see the process of creation as an intentional act of ‘making’ that comes from experimentation, trial and error, letting form come from the nature of materials and tools. Seeking simplicity and elegant strength in every composition, I use curves, arcs, and lines as continuous sub-theme as if to draw three dimensionally in space.
The unique character of mobiles reveals the inherent challenge of gravity and the mystery of delicate balance. Seeking to push the limits of form and space with these forces I work to orchestrate ‘near misses’ and enable ‘soft collisions’. The unpredictable and accidental nature of these movements allows the observer to move beyond simple viewing and become unconsciously engaged in the enjoyable act of “watching”.
Terry Welker, AIA is an architect/artist living in Kettering, Ohio. He began his formal education in fine art but later moved toward architecture. Upon completing his graduate work as a Wolfson Fellow at the University of Cincinnati in 1987 he continued teaching design and drawing at UC for several years. An award-winning architect, he opened his own office in 1994 and created the Archetype Gallery serving artists of the Miami Valley. Today, as a distinguished member of the American Institute of Architects, his teaching background, gallery experience, and architectural knowledge in design and structure all inform his work as a sculptor.
Curriculum Vitae
Terry Welker AIA
b. 1955
Terry Welker, AIA is an architect/artist living in Kettering, Ohio. He began his formal education in fine art but later moved toward architecture. Upon completing his graduate work as a Wolfson Fellow at the University of Cincinnati in 1987 he continued teaching design and drawing at UC for several years. An award-winning architect, he opened his own office in 1994 and created the Archetype Gallery serving artists of the Miami Valley. Today, as a distinguished member of the American Institute of Architects, his teaching background, gallery experience, and architectural knowledge in design and structure all inform his work as a sculptor.
Contact:
terry@welkerstudio.com
15 Napoleon Drive
Kettering, OH 45429
home/studio: 937-293-1237, cell: 937-776-1289
Public/Institutional/Corporate Art:
Nuevo Marina, Purto Vallarta, Mexico, Whale, 2014
Care House, Dayton OH, Leaf Splash I, Leaf Splash II, Pine Cloud, Bird Dance, 2014
Cuyahoga Community College, Cleveland OH, Rain, Leaf Pile, Blus Migration, 2013
Cuyahoga Community College, Cleveland OH, Moonlight Grass & Ginkgoes, 2012
Miami Valley Hospital. Grass & Ginkgoes Dance, 2011
Dayton Art Institute, Dayton OH, Night Rain (installation), 2010
Nationwide Childrens Hospital, Columbus OH, Order & Chaos, 2009
Caresource, Morning Grass & Ginkgos, 2009
Children's Medical Center, Peacock, Sail Feathers Ballet, 2008
City of Vandalia (Ohio): Icarus, 2006
Dayton Art Institute: City of Seven, 2004
Recent Juried Exhibits:
Tiffin University, Kenetic Memory, 2011
Dayton Visual Arts Center, Dayton OH, Nov-Dec 2010, "Refelctions"
Rosewood Arts Centre, 2009 HWD Sculpture Exhibit, Best in Show
Bear's Mill Gallery, Greenville, OH, July 2008, "Mobility and Memory"
Link Gallery, Dayton, OH , May-June, 2008, "Unchained"
Concourse Gallery, Upper Arlington, OH, Aug - Sept 2007 "Poetic Abstraction"
Dayton Art Institute Experiencenter, 2007-08, Folding Chair & Paperclip Chair
Dayton Art Institute, 2004-05, Yeck Visiting Artist, Experiencenter, City of Seven
Fitton Center, Hamilton, OH, 2005 Greater Hamilton Art Exhibit
Employment History
Welker Studio: 1973 - present
City of Kettering, Ohio: 2000 - present, Chief Building Official
Archetype Inc.: 1994-2000 (architectural firm & art gallery owner)
Other architectural firms: 1982-1994
Education:
University of Cincinnati -- Master of Architecture, 1987 (Assoc. Professor/Wolfson Fellow)
University of Cincinnati -- Bachelor of Architecture, 1982
Sinclair Community College -- Assoc. in Architecture, 1977
Sinclair Community College -- Assoc. in Civil Construction, 1977
Wright State University -- Fine Art 1973-75
Artist Memberships:
Ohio Online Visual Artist's Registry
Dayton Visual Art Center
Professional Memberships:
American Institute of Architects (AIA)
International Code Council (ICC)
Professional Certifications:
Ohio Registered Architect #7514
National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) #37108
Ohio Certified Building Official, Certified Master Plans Examiner
Community Service:
Film Dayton, Board Member 2011-2013
AIA Ohio President (2008)
Dayton Visual Art Center, Board Member (2005-08)
Kettering Arts Council, Board Member (2004-08)
Kettering Art in Public Places Committee (2006-present)