Abbott Pattison, Visiting Artist Lecture 1963

Abbott Pattison gives a lecture at Skowhegan talking about his artistic practice which is rooted in sculpture. Pattison’s approach to sculpture is informed by the physical relationship the artist has to his materials and tools, and he considers sculpture to be a kind of contest. Pattison works in a wide range of materials, including marble, bronze, steel, and clay. For Pattison, sculpture isn’t a medium one should be afraid of, but instead should be approached as an incredible potential. Pattison also engages in a conversation with the participants, telling them that artists must be observers and participants in life. Pattison elaborates further on this, stating that for artists who want to go higher, farther, and more truthfully, they must accept that life is not static, and is in a constant state of movement. Pattison says that his primary function as an artist is to make something for himself, and says that an artist must make work for themselves despite doubts and outside pressures. Pattison then says that in order for artists to grow, they cannot back away from a challenge, because a challenge is a crucial part of an artist’s success, allowing them to grow and become strengthened. Pattison urges the participants to accept the failure that will inevitably happen, because failure will fortify their decisions which will be good for them in the long run. Pattison ends his lecture by saying that even if artists are filled with doubts, they must know within themselves that they have to act and think with as much truth as they can muster and they must work as diligently and as beautifully as they can.