Artist's Statement:

My problem with "artist's statements" is that they seldom bear much resemblance or relevance to the artist's actual work, which for me evokes a sensory rather than an intellectual response. For me, working in sculpture has been a compulsion rather than a possibility. I have spent many years exploring different art movements, studying sculptors from various schools of thought, and developing my own skills. These days I am working on a series of sculptures related to the many images that have accumulated in my mind over the years, starting when I was an art student and continuing over decades of dealing with the rigors of architecture (where the materials must yield to the design) and studying sculpture (where the design must yield to the materials).

I am a constructivist dealing in space and place. To me the challenge and joys of creation are equally related to visualization and execution. My approach requires understanding and executing the entire process of sculpture, which should not be hindered by technical incompetence. Whether the work involves stone or woodcarving, welding or metalworking, structural integrity or the choice of textures and finishes, the sculptor must know the process.

I don't believe that art needs to solve or interpret problems for the public. What art should do is provide the best opportunity to retain or regain the creativity we all had as children, before we were programmed to function in a society that demands financial and social "success." When I received a traveling fellowship in architecture, the great Philip Johnson said, "Mr. Boro, congratulations on your fellowship. Personally, I think you are too talented to do housing and maybe architecture." Years later I realized that "success" for me would be doing sculpture.

Education:

The Carving Studio, W. Rutland, Vermont: stone and woodcarving

The Johnson Atelier, Hamilton, New Jersey: stone carving

Mass. College of Art, Boston: welding, metalworking and sculpture

Columbia University, New York City: B.A. and M. A. in architecture, 1966

William Kinne Fellows Traveling Fellowship

The Inter-American Development Fellowship

Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, New York: studio art

City College of New York: studio art

Duke University, Durham, North Carolina: B.A., 1961

Teaching and Awards:

Harvard University Graduate School of Design: lectures and design criticism

John F. Kennedy School of Government: lectures

Rhode Island School of Design: lectures and design criticism

Boston Architectural Center: design studio instructor

American Institute of Architects, awards

Boston Society of Architects, awards

Exhibitions and Shows: Please click here to visit a listing of current and upcoming exhibitions.