Constantin Cotty Nazarie is a sculptor who lives in Hamilton. He is a family man, who works as a production supervisor for the world famous sculptor Jeff Koons in his Koons’ Morrisville, Pennsylvania studio.
Nicknamed Cotty by classmates in his native Bucharest, Romania, he is a stone sculptor. He is prolific, trained in Italy, and is very friendly and down to earth. His art encompasses many styles. He produces art from his immediate feelings and inspirations. His works are abstract but still personal and can be introspective for all of us.
When did you begin in the arts?
I started about 9-10 sculpting with mashed potatoes at dinner, driving my grandmother crazy as I took two hours to “sculpt” before I would finish eating. In grade school, art class felt like a prison or factory where we were given materials and had to produce.
In middle school, I had a teacher who was a trained stone sculptor. He brought in a small sculpture he had made and put it on his desk. It was as if all went dark in the room except for that sculpture, bathed in heavenly light. That moment is very alive in my mind after many years.
Which media do you work in?
After initially starting in painting, I was attracted to the perfection of three dimensional work. Nothing is more complete than 3D sculpture. It is like a painting that you can walk around in.
Which is your favorite material to sculpt with and why?
I love natural stone, because of the elegance of the material, the versatility, and the durability. The process of gradually cutting out pieces of material until you get the desired shape and texture is the best part. The stone is also unforgiving, with a bad outcome if the process is not planned and executed well.
How did you end up in the U.S.?
At age 24, I left my native Romania to open a sculpture studio in Italy, near Naples. At 36, I visited a friend in the U.S.. During our trip, we visited the Grounds for Sculpture. I wanted to be a part of this unique business of the Johnson Atelier, where sculpture was made and so close to the sculpture park itself.
During my time at the Johnson Atelier Stone division, I met many famous artists and young up and coming artists too. I have been here ever since, and have now been with the Jeff Koons Studio for more than 10 years.
Who are some of your inspirations or influences?
My countryman artist Constantin Brancusi was an early influence. As was Jean Arp, Barbara Hepworth and Henry Moore. I was also blessed with a terrific mentor here in the U.S. with sculptor Isaac Witkin. I worked on many of his sculptures, both fabricating and maintaining. I have fond memories of our time together, talking about everything under the sun, especially during road trips we would make to install his work.
Do you work on multiple pieces at once?
Me, trying to work on multiple pieces at the same time is like eating with two hands from two different plates. It is not pleasurable then, it is just a process. When I start a project, I work on it, I dream about it, I sleep on it, I eat on it, and I breathe that project. It is so intense and the only thing on my mind. Once all is complete, then I can move to the next project. My wife says, “I am a one-task man!”
What fight/struggle do you have regarding your art?
My only real struggle is when I work on a larger piece of sculpture. This may involve large cranes, a larger spaces, trucks to transport when finished. I have tens of thousands dollars’ worth of tools and they wear out from the hardness and abrasiveness of the stone.
Though somewhat abstract, your work conveys meanings and message. Do the viewers understand what you wish them to?
Most of my work is conceptual with a sense of abstractness. I am very interested in the human condition and symbolism of that. Without a title and proper explanation it is sometime a little challenging to the viewer to understand what I am trying to project.
Sometimes I just try to research and portray a pure shape without a solid meaning. I just let the stone guide my chisel in the right direction. Other times I wish to attach a criteria, a story to the stone, and through my imagination to emphasize certain aspects of my emotions and feelings toward the subject.
What are you working on now?
My latest piece is titled Wisdom and will be donated to a Hamilton-based charity foundation to raise funds for people in need. The sculpture reflects and was inspired by the wisdom of these tireless volunteers who do so much for those in need. My work comes in short bursts of energy after a longer time of research to obtain a clear theme. My mentor Isaac Witkin told me, “If you don’t have anything to say, then don’t say anything!” In other words don’t do anything unless you have a precise goal and a process to achieve it.
Romanian-born, U.S.-based sculptor Constantin Cotty Nazarie.,
