History
Whether Robert Griffith’s work is ‘sculpture’ (it is surely sculptural); ‘design’ (it is surely designerly); or ‘craft’ (it is surely craftsmanlike) will depend on the independent conclusion(s) of the spectator.
Artist Statement
My art, at its best, is a means of putting things in order. Life experiences compel me to reconsider the familiar.
I try not to get too precious about it all. I want to enjoy the process. The work, for me, is an act of accessing knowledge that is then applied by the hand.
The making of works is methodical. I am consistently making parts, pieces, and elements that are little “discoveries.” These are sometimes swapped between pieces.
Questions are asked. Does it fit (visually)? Is it the right one? Does it ring true? I remain fascinated about it all. I lose sleep worrying about the details and how it might all come together.
In the end, I am content with the “doings” of my work. Selecting materials, putting them together, thinking about relationships, working at something. I try to be honest. A body of work becomes a document of my thinking and working through a particular time frame. It relates to the work that came before and the work that will come next.
-Robert Griffith, statement from 1993 exhibition catalog, Zoller Gallery, The Pennsylvania State University
1968-1972
1974-1976
I pursued advanced studies at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, IL under the direction of L. Brent Kington. My thesis work was completed in Damascus steel. It was here where I contributed to the first international exhibition on blacksmithing Iron Solid Wrought. I graduated with my MFA in 1976.
In 1975 I created my piece “Pastry Knife” which was then acquired by the Smithsonian American Art Museum and is featured in the Renwick Collection.
During this period, I also received a fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts & Humanities.
1977-1979
I was an Artist in Residence for the Studio Industries program in Tuscaloosa, AL.
1980-1984
My studio work during this time included the Damascus Wheellock Gun Barrel for John Bivins. In 1984 I began my tenure at Marywood University in Scranton, PA. I was the area head of sculpture and 3-D design, and would eventually become the Administrative Director for the Department of Visual Arts.
1986-1989
I designed, fabricated, and installed the Fred Pomerantz Memorial at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, NY.
I received the F. Lammot Belin Arts Scholarship Award, followed by two consecutive individual fellowships from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts.
1991
I installed a sculpture for Sandvik Steel in Waverly, PA. This piece was awarded the 1993 Scranton Landscape Architecture Design Award by the Scranton Chamber of Commerce.
1997
We broke ground for Brynn Hafen house and studio in Lawsville, PA. My sculpture and tables were featured in Glasgow, Scotland at Roger Billcliffe Fine Art.
2000-2004
With my Binghamton-based business partner, Kent Harris, I designed the Atelier Collection. This collection was introduced at ICFF in NY and the Highpoint International Furniture Market in North Carolina.
My work was featured in a solo exhibition, “Robert Griffith Design,” at the Everhart Museum in Scranton, PA.
At Marywood, I received the Case Professor of the Year award in 2000.
2011
My solo exhibition, Passages – Robert Griffith, was featured at both the Studio Arts Center International in Florence, Italy and at Marywood.
2016-present
I retired from Marywood, where I remain Professor Emeritus. My studio work continues with a focus on projects of personal fulfillment.
