Posted: 6/17/04
Shapes hold meaning for Blaine sculptor
by Kelly Johnson
Staff writer
A unique purchase led Ken Borchardt to discover his love of sculpture.
When the Blaine resident purchased an Indian headdress once worn by Chief Little Crow in the late 1990s, he never realized it would change his life forever.
Borchardt needed a way to display his new purchase, so he decided to create a wooden sculpture of Chief Little Crow.
After he was done, Borchardt decided to dedicate himself to his art.
"It was so fun," Borchardt said about his first wooden sculpture. "It was like love at first sight."
Borchardt received no formal training in sculpture; however he did work as an understudy for an art professor at the University of Minnesota.
He also has an extensive collection of art books thanks to his brother-in-law, who owns a book store.
"It just came really naturally to me," the artist said about sculpture.
Borchardt describes his sculptures as "realism that stretches the imagination."
"It has a lot of depth and meaning you have to search for," Borchardt said.
"I try to mix more stuff into (my sculptures) to keep it interesting."
Sculpture is never far from Borchardt's mind.
His eyes are always looking for interesting shapes and Borchardt's mind is constantly manipulating shapes to come up with his next creation.
"I'm looking at shapes and for shapes and how I can put them together," the former remodeling contractor said.
Borchardt keeps molding clay beside his bed in case inspiration hits in the middle of the night.
"As I go to sleep, a lot of stuff will come to me," Borchardt said.
Borchardt creates his sculptures by creating a model with clay.
He then uses that mold to create a wax cast of the sculpture. That wax cast is then used to create the bronze sculpture in his Blaine studio.
Borchardt then paints a patina on the sculpture to finish his creation.
"Working with stone has influenced by patinas," Borchardt said.
While Borchardt likes the creative process, for him, the most enjoyable part of his work is seeing the reaction it brings to those who see it.
"I put a smile on people's faces," Borchardt said.
"I do all this because I love it, and I make other people smile."
Borchardt creates a limited number of each piece, in part to help keep him inspired in his work.
"Keeping the editions small will always push me to keep doing more," he said.
"I'm always making new pieces," Borchardt said.
Ken Borchardt's sculptures
Blaine artist Ken Borchardt will display his sculptures at the Minnesota Crafts Festival at the Minnesota Historical Society, 345 Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul, Friday, June 25, noon to 6 p.m., Saturday, June 26, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, June 27, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The cost is $5; free admission for Minnesota Crafts Council members and children under 12.
The Minnesota Crafts Festival is an annual juried art festival featuring 140 fine craft artists, whose art includes pieces for the home and the individual, handcrafted of wood, clay, glass, metal fiber and mixed media. The 2004 festival marks the 32nd annual festival and the second year at the Minnesota History Center.
For more information (651) 296-6126, 800-657-3773 or (651) 282-6073.
Borchardt's studio is open to the public by appointment only. His art can also be viewed on his web site at www.kennethsculptures.com.
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