It’s a Frog-Strangling Downpour in Charleston

It’s not raining cats and dogs, it’s more of a frog strangler when the new sculpture exhibit is opening at the Hamlet Gallery for Charles Smith and sons, Zan and Beau. The exhibit is called “It’s Raining Frogs” and consists of a new collection of human-size copper frog sculptures.

The Humble Beginning
The beginning of the human-size copper frog emerged in 1974 when Charles Smith started making metal sculptures(following a career in science and engineering). His first subjects were clowns and dancers made with sheet copper overlaid with brass from one to two feet tall.
“Natural subject matter, coupled with the basic desire to render the life size image of the human form in metal are the forces that led to the copper frog” says Charles.  The frogs have evolved over the years, first sitting on the ground, then standing, holding a wine bottle, martini glass, reading a book, playing an instrument and other various human activities.  Sizes have varied also, large to small and back to the human-size again.  The “Spoleto Dancing” frogs in the courtyard stand around 7 feet tall and are perfectly asymmetrical.

Charles’ sons, Beau and Zan, learned metal sculpture while growing up, and became “Frogsmiths” after their father.  The sons continue to contribute in the development of the medium and collaborate on the art and craft of the human size copper frog.  Charles and Zan each have a studio in a natural setting on a small, family island in the South Carolina Lowcountry, south of Charleston.  Beau works independently in Atlanta, Georgia.

The Art of Expression and Body Language
Each frog is made individually and has its own character in expression and body language.  They do not use templates, or helpers.  The artists primarily use copper, brass and stainless steel, and have developed over the years a special process for initiating the verdigris patina.  Each frog is signed, dated and copyrighted on a stainless steel plate near the foot of the frog statue. “These frog creatures have “soul” and are “crowd pleasers”, making people smile” says Stephanie Shuler Hamlet of the Hamlet Fine Art Gallery.

The reception takes place on  Friday, August 7th , 5-8 pm. The exhibit continues the whole month of August. For more information, contact the Hamlet Fine art Gallery at 843-722-1944 or www.hamletgallery.com