CARMEL, Calif. – August 6, 2019 – Richard Pietruska, an award-winning sculptor and board member of the Automotive Fine Arts Society (AFAS), will display three amazing original sculptures at the group’s exhibit and reception at the New Masters Gallery in Carmel. The free exclusive car art show, entitled “Old Masters at the New Masters,” runs August 10th through 18th.
In addition to two pieces that will be seen for the first time at the gallery, Mr. Pietruska will present CLASSIC PROPORTIONS, an unusual interpretation of the many ways in which the female form has influenced – and continues to influence – automotive design.
“In my mind, most of the iconic automobiles have a certain feminine quality about them, mainly in shape and form,” said Pietruska. “Even many of the most recent exotics possess this, like the new McLarens, Bugattis and certain Mercedes models.”
Pietruska’s sculpture, cast in bronze and sitting on a granite base, stretches some thirty inches long, is ten inches high and eight inches wide. And while its feminine side is lithe and athletic, its automotive half, as Mr. Pietruska emphasized, is one of the most beautiful cars of all time.
“This 1936 Delahaye, designed by Figoni et Falashi, is truly one of their most iconic vehicles,” said Pietruska. “The flowing lines and stance work perfectly with my style of sculpture. I chose to put the graceful female figure on the reverse side, showing how the two forms blend together. CLASSIC PROPORTIONS is a very limited edition and I’m pleased to debut it during Collector Car Week in Carmel this year.”
Richard Pietruska’s career as an automotive designer began early, winning the Fisher Body Craftsman Guild. Later, he would earn a scholarship to study at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. There he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Automotive Design and a Masters of Fine Arts Degree.
While enjoying a background in various media – from paint to tapestries – Pietruska’s focus is on automotive sculpture. He enjoys using techniques from bronze casting to cast resin and fiberglass, stainless steel and plastics. Pietruska’s sculptures exhibit the dynamic fluidity of the automobile, while simplifying the basic design lines of some of the most exotic vehicles of the past and present.
Pietruska’s work has been featured in numerous media outlets worldwide, including Road & Track, Automobile Magazine, The Robb Report and Octane Magazine. Pietruska has designed awards and trophies for many automotive events, including the Car of the Year Award for Automobile Magazine, the Cranbrook Concours d’Elegance, the Petersen Museum and the Newport Beach Concours d’Elegance. More of Richard Pietruska’s art may be seen on the AFAS website: www.autoartgallery.com.
The AFAS exhibit opens at the New Masters Gallery at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 10 and closes at 5:30. Those hours will continue through Friday, August 16. On Saturday (August 17), the exhibit again opens at 10:00 a.m., while a reception honoring the latest AFAS artists work begins at 4:00 p.m. and concludes at 6:30. The reception has evolved into a popular hotspot for celebrities, art collectors and industry leaders to preview and purchase the latest AFAS pieces. The gallery is located at Dolores St. between Ocean Ave. and 7th St. in Carmel-By-The-Sea, California.
About the Automotive Fine Arts Society
AFAS was first established in 1983 by a group of artists who are acknowledged by critics to be among the best in their field. Members work in diverse mediums, including oil, watercolors, acrylics, wood, gouache, pen & ink, clay and metal. AFAS and its members have participated in select shows across the country, including the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, Dana Point Concours d’Elegance and the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. Additional information about the Automotive Fine Arts Society is available at www.autoartgallery.com.
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