For more than 45 years, as President of Foresite Planning, Inc., Jerome Harris Parmet focused his artistic career on planning/designing/rehabbing architectural interiors and buildings for corporations, showrooms and restaurants primarily in NYC and its metro area. However, he always remembered a gratifying experience in a sculpture class in college and upon semi-retirement twenty years ago, began to experiment with welded metal, first in classes at a local community college, then art schools, finally setting up his own studio. To his rekindled fascination at working with metal, he now applied principles learned in his professional practice.
“The principles of architecture, whether interior or exterior, revolve around three-dimensional space. The same applies to sculpture, whatever the material from which it is created. The similarities of both disciplines speak to me, perhaps because the sensitivity to space and spatial interrelationships come naturally to the architect. Both architect and sculptor balance four considerations – Form, Function, Economy and Time – as their framework for resolving concept, in order to thrive as artist and business person.
“The process of welding, juxtaposing a molten fluid substance to the hardness of metal, satisfies my need to mold, shape and create form. Metal sculpture functions in its environment in every way, from existing as a moveable, useable object to simply filling a void with its enduring presence. The materials utilized range from creative reuse of scrap yard ‘junk’ to expensive stainless steel – depending upon budget constraints and inspired choice. Deadlines can be felt as inhibitors; however, in my design, and now, sculptural careers, I have found time limitations helpful in sparking high energy and sharp decisions.
“My repeated theme is an examination of balance and stress. Each piece has individuality, achieved after hours of dreams, sketches, models and mock-ups, but they all seem to be an exploration into steel suspended in space.”
