Watch for details regarding a recent television interview that will be 
   aired in January or February 2011. 

  South Beach Art Exhibit delves into “Death” 
  Show spotlights environmental Artist who resurrects unexpected life from exotic reclaimed woods.

   Miami -- Visitors to the “Death” exhibit at the Cando Arts Co-op on South Beach are encountering stunning works that ingeniously express
   the notion of finality and question concepts of life and reality.  A particularly evocative presentation by Paul Saint Laurent consistently holds
   spectators spellbound as they envision expansive vistas, fantastic creatures, and graceful shapes elaborately emerging through exotic
   wood naturescapes, sculptures, and vessels that boldly reflect death as a transition to a more magnificent life.

At first glance, the intricacy of Saint Laurent’s work is stunning.  His appreciation for exposing unforeseen nuances captivates attention, expands understanding of our natural world, and inspires imagination.  More deeply, Saint Laurent’s distinctive muse tells many stories.  Paralleling known history, radiating growth rings emanating from a minute heart acutely depict decades of prosperity and strife across far-flung climes. Varying bark textures peel away to reveal surprising three-dimensional splendor and curious movement shaped by the ravages of time, long-abandoned infestations, and variegated internal perplexities.

Blithely, Saint Laurent exploits seeming defects, elevating them to centerpieces of a creation’s perfection of form, character, and beauty.  Never missing an opportunity to revel in nature’s wonder, or take the most unlikely stone or timber for granted as a precious piece of art, he acknowledges, “I seek to unveil the inherent grandeur of pieces that unknowingly, people simply step over.  How I cut, polish, and display them exposes nature’s exquisite delicate textures and transforms “defects” into amazing design elements. I don’t seek to make nature perfect; I choose to bare and celebrate its innate perfection.”

Saint Laurent travels the globe to painstakingly select exceptional woods with rich color, intriguing textures, and mesmerizing grain patterns.  Flaunting the wood’s characteristics and markings, Saint Laurent seeks a balance between his own ingenuity and the intrinsic aesthetic appeal of raw wood.  His precision lengthwise cuts through the center are marked by thin, vertical ray lines while lengthwise outer cuts expose wavy grains and wider rays, prized for their graphic rhythm.  Retaining the wood’s natural state, Saint Laurent uses no stain, but meticulously finishes his pieces with multiple layers of a clear spray finish, hand rubbed between coatings, or with natural oils for food safe vessels.

From reclaimed and renewable resources, each unique piece presents an inimitable opportunity for
Saint Laurent to employ chain and power saws, lathes, carving and sculpting tools to expose an otherwise unseen majesty lying dormant in lonely logs.  “For me,” he confesses, “the true measure of success comes through that creative dance when I am able to interpret and reincarnate each piece’s special soul from deemed Death and unequivocally exemplify how it fits within the whole cycle of Life.”

The gregarious Saint Laurent appears unassuming despite his impressive resume.  A Rhode Island native, he earned a B.F.A. in Painting and 2-D design from the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth and studied Natural Science Illustration at the Rhode Island School of Design.  For 33 years, Saint Laurent was a renown sculptor and designer of fine jewelry worldwide.  In the early 1980s, serving as the United Nations Technical Advisor to Sri Lanka’s Export Development Board, he counseled local craftsmen and manufacturers regarding technique and quality standards necessary to enter U.S. and European markets.

For a number of years, Saint Laurent was an instructor at The Jewelry Institute, sharing his expertise in design, construction, and methods of mass production.  An entrepreneur, he owned a Boston gallery showcasing works in metal, wood, and cut stones.

Saint Laurent is truly a renaissance man. A rare breed of artist who additionally possesses remarkable versatility as an accomplished sketcher, painter, photographer and ceramic craftsman, he is constantly expanding his creative range.  Currently exhibiting work at both Cando and Grove House Artists in Coconut Grove, Saint Laurent is channeling his early Abstract Expressionism as he builds a notable catalog of fine
art and one-of-a-kind commercial pieces.

Intuitive and discerning, Paul Saint Laurent passionately reflects on his acclaimed pursuits. “My greatest
joy is to invite people to take an up-close look at life’s wonders and share their instant amazement. From
this show, I hope that visitors learn not to fear Death, but to fear...not living.”

The “Death” exhibit runs through November 1.  CANDO Arts Co-Op is located at 309 23rd St. in Miami Beach. The gallery is open 4-7 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 12-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, and by appointment. 
(September 17, 2010)