Frank Finds New Home for Christmas

Unloading Frank at his new home in the dark

Many hands were needed to control the suitcase sitting a wheeled dolly as it was moved down the steep driveway.

Deciding where to put the suitcase

Frank gets maneuvered into position so that he can be stood upright onto his new base

The original plaster Frank the Baggage Handler that was on display at the Lloyd Gallery has been moved to a new permanent location in the Lower Mainland. The new owners are proudly displaying the artwork in the entryway of their home along with a little of their own baggage. Some of the original suitcases from the Penticton Roundabout display has also found its way there and are being utilized as a part of their landscaping.

The original “Frank” was initially installed on January 4^th 2005 in the Penticton Marina way roundabout. He soon made international news when the Penticton Mayor insisted that the nude statue’s genitalia be obscured – a move that was subsequently vetoed by council vote on the 7^th of January 2005. Frank again made international news when continuous vandalism (that included the spray painting of the pubic area green and the removal of the penis) forced the artist to remove him from the installation.

More controversy erupted when I (at the advice of the Canadian Conservation Institute) insisted that a qualified conservator restore the work. Since the work was in the possession of the city when the vandalism occurred I felt that the work should be repaired at the City’s expense. Eventually I sued the City and won my case in small claims court.

The restored work was put on display at the Red Rooster Winery tasting room in July of 2005 and eventually bronzed for a permanent outdoor display at the winery. After the Lloyd Gallery was destroyed by fire in 2007 and re-opened in November of the same year the artist put the original plaster work on display at the new location of the Gallery.

The first bronze Frank (which is an edition of 3) is owned by the Red Rooster Winery and will continue to be displayed on their grounds

Photos and more information can be found at the my websites Michael Hermesh and The Baggage Handler

Frank on the Move

After three years at the Lloyd Gallery "Frank" is moving again. His first stop is Bent and Beaten Metal Craft where he will be getting a new base along with a new proto type suitcase designed for indoors. His final destination will remain a mystery for now... but will be announced as soon as possible.

Romoving "Frank" from the Lloyd Gallery

Securing him to the trailer

On the road

Off the Trailer at Bent and Beaten.

Some Photos of our road trip to Palm Desert

Copal Fine Art, Palm Desert, California

I am extremely excited to announce my new gallery representation in Palm Desert California. This gallery specializes in Contemporary and Mid Century art and has a small roster of excellent artists.

Thursday night was the first art walk of the season and as you can see it was extremely busy.

Mocking Bird in an Orange Bush standing in the front window of the Gallery.

Ernie, the Gallery owners husband serving up wine for the art walk.

The wine was "decorated" in honor of the gallery's new sculptor.

Gallery owner Alicia Armstrong and myself standing in the front window of the Copal Gallery.

Here I am waxing poetic to one of the art walk attendees about my sculpture "The Bread Crumb Man"

Penticton Art Gallery - 2010 Legacies Exhibition

God Picks Winners

Artist: Michael Hermesh

Media: Plaster, Fibre, Steel

Artist Statement

Disdain for the Disdainful

When we try to control, censor, censure, or destroy artists - we lose. If the arts are ignored, the result is that images and thoughts disappear - they continue. We are not short of aesthetic objects; the shelves are lined with them. Corporate logos such as the culturally neutered Inukshuk abound. Mindless flags, corporate imagery, and self-aggrandizement become high art. We light the void with soulless enthusiasm, there is so much market and so little value. We all live near what has become one of the world's largest art galleries - Walmart.

The primary function of art is not to aggrandize, amuse, educate or direct. Art is to be lived. The value is found in a vibrant culture worth living in.

The living soul of the "Arts" is provided by the individual artist and not by committees or by the corporations.

Aesthetics will never go away - but the may become obscene.

The Penticton Art Gallery's 2010 Legacies Exhibition will Open January 22, 2010.