About Bryan Massey, Sr.
Bryan Winfred Massey, Sr. was born in Goldsboro, North Carolina in 1960. He is currently the Chair of the Department of Art & Design and a Professor of Art/Sculptor /Designer at the University of Central Arkansas, Conway. He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts from East Carolina University in Greenville, NC; his Master of Fine Arts from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, LA. He is currently working to finish his Doctorate of Education at the University of Arkansas, Little Rock in Higher Education Administration. He is primarily a stone carver using a variety of stones from alabaster, soapstone, limestone, marble and granite. Massey also casts in iron, bronze and aluminum as well as fabricates large-scale sculptures in steel. Some of his completed works include the Sidney S. McMath Memorial in Little Rock, the Silas Herbert Hunt Memorial in Fayetteville, AR, on the campus of the U of A, and Nautilus sculpture located in the Riverfront Park just behind the Marriot Hotel. Massey also has work in The Mosaic Templars Cultural Center and Museum's permanent collection in Little Rock, AR. Other installations include The Cyclone at the Russellville Center for the Arts, Tribute to Stradivarius at The Grammy Museum in Cleveland, MS, his No Stress, No Pressure in the Sculpture Garden at the new CARTI Cancer Center in Little Rock, AR and "Otis", a 15 feet by 8 feet, 3,000 lb. stainless steel bear for the University of Central Arkansas' new Donaghey Hall. His most recent installations are in Fort Smith AR, SEAL at ArcBest Corporation and Wind Song I at the Fort Smith Riverfront Sculpture Walk/Park. Bryan has exhibited internationally (UK, and Germany), nationally, and regionally throughout his career and continues to exhibit and compete at a consistently high professional level. Dr. Ruth Pasquine, former Gallery Director of the Leedell Moorehead- Graham Fine Arts Gallery states, "Massey's mastery of his craft and materials, and his wide-ranging subject matter that balances the narrative, abstract, and spiritual, provide a satisfying yet challenging experience for the viewer." Bryan has been married to his wife Delphine Massey for 36 years and they have three children, Junia Massey-Smith (Joo-nee-ah), Bryan Jr. (BJ) and Javan (Jah-von). He and his family continue to reside in Conway, AR.
My work for years has been focused on creating interesting works of art that deal with social, political, cultural and spiritual issues. In my work, I want the viewer to experience the raw emotions that I experienced in the creative process whether it is stone, steel or cast metal. Often times the themes of my work reflect a narrative or memory of my past childhood and adulthood experiences combining my faith as I walk out my spiritual journey. My spiritual relationship plays a vital role in my creative process. I want my work to touch the viewer's spirit, soul, and body; allowing my work to record an incident, create a tangible form to feelings and give the viewer an innovative way of seeing materials in a different format. Each of my sculptures usually have the distinctive three marks present in some form or fashion representing the Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit or Spirit, Soul and Body. I use a variety of materials in my work during my creative process; however, I am particular about what materials I use for each specific sculpture because I want that material to reflect what narrative I am trying to express to the viewer. The viewer's experience may totally be different than mine because they may see something entirely different in my work, and for me, that's okay.
About the art
Bryan Winfred Massey, Sr. was born in Goldsboro, North Carolina in 1960. He is currently the Chair of the Department of Art & Design and a Professor of Art/Sculptor /Designer at the University of Central Arkansas, Conway. He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts from East Carolina University in Greenville, NC; his Master of Fine Arts from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, LA. He is currently working to finish his Doctorate of Education at the University of Arkansas, Little Rock in Higher Education Administration. He is primarily a stone carver using a variety of stones from alabaster, soapstone, limestone, marble and granite. Massey also casts in iron, bronze and aluminum as well as fabricates large-scale sculptures in steel. Some of his completed works include the Sidney S. McMath Memorial in Little Rock, the Silas Herbert Hunt Memorial in Fayetteville, AR, on the campus of the U of A, and Nautilus sculpture located in the Riverfront Park just behind the Marriot Hotel. Massey also has work in The Mosaic Templars Cultural Center and Museum's permanent collection in Little Rock, AR. Other installations include The Cyclone at the Russellville Center for the Arts, Tribute to Stradivarius at The Grammy Museum in Cleveland, MS, his No Stress, No Pressure in the Sculpture Garden at the new CARTI Cancer Center in Little Rock, AR and "Otis", a 15 feet by 8 feet, 3,000 lb. stainless steel bear for the University of Central Arkansas' new Donaghey Hall. His most recent installations are in Fort Smith AR, SEAL at ArcBest Corporation and Wind Song I at the Fort Smith Riverfront Sculpture Walk/Park. Bryan has exhibited internationally (UK, and Germany), nationally, and regionally throughout his career and continues to exhibit and compete at a consistently high professional level. Dr. Ruth Pasquine, former Gallery Director of the Leedell Moorehead- Graham Fine Arts Gallery states, "Massey's mastery of his craft and materials, and his wide-ranging subject matter that balances the narrative, abstract, and spiritual, provide a satisfying yet challenging experience for the viewer." Bryan has been married to his wife Delphine Massey for 36 years and they have three children, Junia Massey-Smith (Joo-nee-ah), Bryan Jr. (BJ) and Javan (Jah-von). He and his family continue to reside in Conway, AR.
My work for years has been focused on creating interesting works of art that deal with social, political, cultural and spiritual issues. In my work, I want the viewer to experience the raw emotions that I experienced in the creative process whether it is stone, steel or cast metal. Often times the themes of my work reflect a narrative or memory of my past childhood and adulthood experiences combining my faith as I walk out my spiritual journey. My spiritual relationship plays a vital role in my creative process. I want my work to touch the viewer's spirit, soul, and body; allowing my work to record an incident, create a tangible form to feelings and give the viewer an innovative way of seeing materials in a different format. Each of my sculptures usually have the distinctive three marks present in some form or fashion representing the Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit or Spirit, Soul and Body. I use a variety of materials in my work during my creative process; however, I am particular about what materials I use for each specific sculpture because I want that material to reflect what narrative I am trying to express to the viewer. The viewer's experience may totally be different than mine because they may see something entirely different in my work, and for me, that's okay.