Finton Shaw's Metal Sculpture Garden
A welded wonderland in Arkansas
Finton Shaw, born in England, Arkansas in 1946, created welded sculptures in Conway, AR. Despite early artistic inclinations and a career as an ironworker, Shaw developed his art more seriously in later years after experiencing heart issues. His work, including pieces like "Cosmic Love" and "The Lady From Madagascar," explores profound themes, distinguishing him from typical regional artists. These sculptures are visible from Highway 64 near Conway. Shaw passed away on May 20, 2012. His artistic journey began with childhood mud figures and persisted through limited encouragement and a demanding physical occupation, culminating in distinctive, thought-provoking art.
via
go.mfru.it
Note
On the outskirts of Conway, AR is Finton Shaw's (1946-2012) orphaned sculpture garden. Shaw was a welder, and after a heart attack, he devoted more time to art and sculpture, erecting several abstract objects from scrap metal on his company grounds.
He also worked on representational sculptures, such as a Bill Clinton monument[^1] that still stands as a skeleton in front of the abandoned workshop or the sculpture “Cosmic Love”, a naked woman with a giant penis between her legs.
Judging by old paintings, sex was definitively a theme for Shaw.
His vision was for Conway to become an art mecca, and there are several artists living in the surrounding area who would have formed the beginning.
Whether Conway will yet become an art mecca is doubtful. Shawn's grounds and the remaining sculptures are waist high, overgrown with grass and shrubs.
Interestingly, we were able to recover the “Cosmic Love” sculpture lying in the grass. According to the artist's old, deleted website[^2], it was worth $5000 USD. Now it was lying there in the grass and decaying.
We straightened it up and who knows, maybe someone will save it. Fascinating site, even though sadly, everything is at the mercy of decay.
In the following Google Streetview images, you can still see the garden in its full glory. In 2013, the Clinton sculpture still had a head. By 2014, it was gone.
In 2001, Finton Shaw was portrayed in the television series "Rare Visions and Roadside Revelations."
For now, you can still watch the show here. https://www.pbs.org/video/beaver-arkansas-to-stuggart-arkansas-9dbmdx/ Finton Shaw's segment starts at minute 13.
Update 2019-04-18
Unfortunately, the sculpture “Cosmic Love” has been damaged. The face and the phallus were destroyed (definitely the work of someone with so-called "small-dick energy" who abused her.
Update 2022-01-18
At the end of December 2021 or beginning of January 2022, the workshop and an adjacent warehouse burned down. The cause of the fire is still unknown to me.
by Marcus Obst
visited at 2018-10-15
