Thor

Life-size wall mounted sculpture created from three separate models. Cast gypsum and fiberglass. Horns and hammer are tinted polyester resin and the shield is reverse engraved jade lucite.

FROM NEWS: Hero. God. Mortal.

Sculpture inspired by iconic art and classic myth by Philip Hitchcock

Grand opening reception
Saturday April 21, 2007
7:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m.

Cherokee Street's premiere art space, phd, hosts the work of artist Philip Hitchcock for its grand opening gala on Saturday, April 21, 2007, with a reception starting at 7:00p.m. Hero. God. Mortal: sculpture inspired by iconic art and myth features the latest creations from recently returned Los Angeles artist, Philip Hitchcock. The works on view include 12 new, life-size figures inspired by heroic figures from art, history, and mythology, including Thor, God of Thunder, Anubis, Egyptian God of the Dead, Nefertiti, Royal Consort to Pharaoh Amenhotep IV, Prometheus, and Medusa.

Download the color catalog for this exhibit

Heroes, Gods, Mortals - Warriors All

This new phase of sculptures by artist Philip Hitchcock presents the human form, armored, idealized and poised for battle in a re-imagined landscape of postmodern mythology, which collapses influences from Greek, Nordic, Medieval and Egyptian traditions. Each sculpture in this collection seems to demand a retelling of classical mythology from Thor--The God of Thunder to Prometheus--the savior of mankind and bringer of fire, while encouraging us to ask: What adventures lie ahead for these new heroes? What enemies will they confront? And, what sacrifices will they be required to make in a time of need?

Hitchcock's work presents a renewed sense of urgency to reexamine the heroic in a modern context. His aesthetic presents idealized castings of the human figure, which are powerful enough alone, yet he retrofits these bodies, infusing them with technology, eroticism, and discourses on pain and pleasure. At the site of this fusion, the heroic figure transforms, activating new interpretations. In Thus Spake Zarathusra, Nietzsche wrote, "Dead are all the Gods." But clearly, Philip Hitchcock's work seeks to resurrect these spirits for battle in the modern world.

I strongly suspect that these sculptures will inspire a new generation of artists and art lovers to seek out the heroic stories of the past, which are replete with powerful Gods, fearless heroes, epic battles, and endless struggles that still resonate today.

William Whittington, Ph.D.
Assistant Chair of Critical Studies
University of Southern California