Throughout the ages, cultures have been defined by their artwork, whether it be music, paintings, architecture or sculpture. The Greek sculpture the Tyrannicides for instance, represented the free Greek state, while Michelangelo’s David symbolized the power and fortune of 15th century Florence. In times of war works such as these have been either destroyed or stolen to further demoralize the besieged city and symbolize the emergence of new ideals. It is my belief, therefore, that modern day monuments are reflections of the communities in which they are created. What or who we choose to remember in bronze or stone reveals to us, and generations to come, who we are or want to become. More than paying our duty to the monument’s subject, such as fallen firefighters, policemen or civic leaders such as Martin Luther King and Cesar Chavez, we impose a duty on ourselves. The very cost and effort of choosing a site, an artist, materials and ceremonies, proclaims that this person or persons matters to us, and with the monument we assume responsibility to continue the ideals for which the honored person worked during his or her life.
Both public and non-public art are methods of expression. In non-public art an artist is free to use any means he/she sees fit to convey any message, including personal ideologies, and thereby establish his name in the art community. In public art, however, we believe the artist has an ethical duty to express the views and ideals of the community. An artist doing public art must concern himself with what the community that hires him wants to convey. He then applies his individual skills and style to relay the message using an art form that is understood by all people, rich, poor, educated and uneducated, without hidden agendas, statements or controversies. If it is “public art” it should be understood and appreciated by all.
Over the past 15 years our dedication to creating public works of art has given us the unique opportunity of working with an array of communities, committees, artists and architects. The projects have ranged from designing, fabricating and installing mosaics for cathedrals and temples, to immortalizing people in bronze and marble. Here at Romo Studios we are dedicated to creating public works of art which weave the ideals of a community with our artistic visions. This dedication combined with our experience in sculpture, will ensure that we will provide a work of art worthy, both aesthetically and functionally, of any public commission.