Ann Fleming Honors Women with Bronze Sculptures

An artist who's work I came across recently that really impressed me is that of Ann Fleming. Her work is especially impressive if you consider her history.  For over 25 years Ann was a professional potter, working in both functional house wares and home architectural work such as sinks, lighting and tile. Though Ann enjoys pottery, it is physically demanding, and she was feeling a need for change. So in 2004 she turned to sculpture and created her first figure, which she had cast in a resin stone composite. But within a couple of years, she changed to casting in bronze because she likes the beautiful permanence that bronze offers.

Cast in bronze, her work is indeed beautiful and quite striking. One of her great joys in sculpture is that now her work is not practical or utilitarian, and though it is non-functional in a utilitarian way, her pieces do tell stories and are very moving to the soul. The way I enjoy an Ann Fleming sculpture is to look and study it alone, without knowing the story. This allows the piece to work on my essence without the interruption of another’s interpretation. And then I like to read the story behind the sculpture. Knowing the story then enhances my experience with the piece, it brings my experience full circle to a greater meaning.

Every Ann Fleming sculpture I have seen is of a woman, and each piece embodies something special about women and womanhood. Perhaps that is why they speak to me. But when I talk with my husband, I discover that he is just as enthralled with them as I am because of the way they embody womanhood.

The first time I saw an Ann Fleming bronze sculpture was at Fairhaven Originals Gallery in Fairhaven, Washington. The title of the piece was Warrior Woman. I was drawn to it instantly. It is of a woman doing the Warrior 2 yoga pose while balancing two tea cups on her head. Her eyes are closed, symbolizing (for me) a focused and concentrated peace in a hectic life. After all, modern life is hectic, we all have so many roles to fulfill and so many things to get done each day. Finding peace and time for ourselves is important, and something we each have to seek, it does not happen naturally. But when we find that way, whether it be through yoga, exercise, reading, or some other hobby, it will allow us to bring balance and harmony to everything else in our life. But perhaps my favorite element of the sculpture is that Ann chose the Warrior pose, symbolizing that quiet but determined strength that all women possess.

This is just one example of an Ann Fleming bronze, and though I like some more than others, all I have seen speak to me in some way.She has managed to capture the essence of womanhood that brings honor to what being a woman and a mother means to so many. I look forward to seeing more of Ann’s work in the future.