When Bob Heintzelman started volunteering over a year ago, he never mentioned his artistic tendencies. He came in, cleaned cases, answered the phone, mingled with guests and we were pleased as punch. I was surprised to discover Bob's initial college ambition was to major in Fine Arts, and even more so to learn he had enough work to fill the rotunda.

Heintzelman was born in Leavenworth, Kansas and has lived most of his life in Topeka. He graduated from Washburn University with a Bachelors degree in psychology. He went on to graduate school at Wichita State University where he earned a Masters degree in psychology. He has been married for thirty-eight years to Debbie, and they have two sons, Bobby and Chris. When Bob entered college, he intended to major in art, but as his interest in a career in mental health evolved, formal art education was abandoned. He worked for thirty five years in the area of mental health, first as a clinician and administrator in juvenile justice, and more recently as administrator of mental health funding in the Medicaid program.

Bob loves bicycling and has ridden across the country. Other hobbies include hiking in Colorado, working on cars, and golf, but throughout his life, he has been drawn to creative expression through photography, drawing, collage and three dimensional works. Bob currently volunteers at the Sabatini Gallery in the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library and has been with us since the Spring of 2007.

ARTIST STATEMENT: All of these pieces are examples of my experimentation with figures in motion.  I am fascinated with the posture of movement and with the way movement can temporarily alter the effects of gravity.  Figures in motion can be depicted in a position that would not be possible if they were still. I attempt to capture the essence of a posture and eliminate as much detail as possible. In addition, these postures become a form of expression. My hope is that the figure may convey something about a state of mind, an expression of the human experience. My goal with this work is to convey joy, grace, determination, mastery and the competitive spirit.

CURATOR'S STATEMENT: One tends to think of steel as heavy, permanent, gritty and down-right-tuff. To incorporate steel in figurative sculpture is something I’ve seen on rare occasions, which is why Welded Steel Figures in Action is so unique. Perhaps one of the strongest details of the work is the welds holding the form in place. Artist John Chamberlain is known for creating sculptures from old automobiles and steel ribbons. These massive abstract sculptures convey a sense of movement and posture much like Heintzelman’s work. Although, Heintzelman’s steel and copper action figures are small in scale, their crafted gestures and poses demand that the viewer stop and pay attention. I’m instantly reminded of the modern day Olympian when observing these pieces up close. How would these action figures look and sound if they were to come to life? Some figures seem to be content with slowing down while others are caught in the motion of speed.   —Trish Nixon

For more information about this display, contact the Sabatini Gallery at 580-4515.

The Flute PLayer, by Bob Heintzelman

Assorted works in copper and steel.