Rochester Artist Pays Tribute to Fallen Soldier with ArtPrize entry

Artist Larry Binkowski

Larry graduated from Rochester High School in 1970 and attended Oakland Community College in Auburn Hills. He took art classes with long-time instructor, Ray Katz. However, for the most part, Larry is a self-taught sculptor, now living in Auburn Hills.

Figurative and portrait sculpting in the public, as well as the private sector, is where Binkowski’s career began. That moved into working on product prototypes for a large toy company, then miniature figures for sports themed collectors, and props for films.

Larry enjoys the challenge of creating both soft edge and hard edge sculptures. He finds working with miniature pieces to be the most satisfying. From mold making to casting, he seeks out new projects and looks forward to the experience.

ArtPrize in Grand Rapids

ArtPrize has 1,828 artists from 45 states and 47 different countries. There are 174 venues within Grand Rapids hosting the artwork. Larry indicated that getting in ArtPrize is easy; finding a venue to host you is the tricky part.

Last year, Larry entered his sculpture titled Ascension of Mother Earth. It is a large piece that is installed outdoors and gives the impression of a woman rising up through the ground. It was on display in the Sixth Street Bridge Park.

For this year, Binkowski created a sculpture that pays tribute to our nation’s fallen war heroes. Titled, Angels on the Battlefield, this cast stone piece of art features a single modern day soldier, mortally wounded in battle. An angel watches over him as if to protect the warrior from further harm. The soldier is symbolic and represents all service men and women from all branches of the military. Larry’s inspiration comes from his daughter’s boyfriend, who has served three tours in Afghanistan.

Angels on the Battlefield Inscription

“When the brutality of war has ended and the cool chill of darkness steals your last remaining breath away, may you find the comfort and compassion of your loved ones in the warm embrace of angels.”

Visitors may find Larry’s entry at the Acton Building in Grand Rapids. The building is open Monday – Thursday from 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., Friday – Saturday from noon – 8:00 p.m., and Sunday from noon – 6:00 p.m. ArtPrize is a competition with a grand prize of $200,000 in both a public vote and juried vote award system. To vote, visitors must register online and vote at the event.

Attend ArtPrize

Voting begins September 24, 2014

Event runs September 24 – October 12, 2014

ArtPrize HUB

41 Sheldon Blvd. SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan

Visit the ArtPrize Website for all the details.

Acton Building (Acton Institute)

98 East Fulton St., Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Voting number for Angels on the Battlefield is 57257.

Rochester Media wishes Larry Binkowski the best of luck in this year’s competition.

To learn more about visiting Grand Rapids, read this Rochester Media Travel Article