By Rebecca Pikus
Great art is sometimes found in the most unlikely of places – and this is the case with the spectacular, dazzling sculptures of Craig Zeigler. Zeigler’s sculptures were actually discovered in the storefront of Regal Plastics in Cathedral City, CA by Maris Kazaks, the brilliant Director and Curator of Rebecca Fine Art Gallery. Zeigler had never shown before in an art gallery, and not only is this his first show, but he is one of 75 prestigious artists participating in a museum-quality art exhibition. “Visually Speaking: Color & Form” has been special guest-curated by award-winning and world renowned artist Joe Novak.
Zeigler was born in 1965 and raised in Ontario California. His family later moved to Palm Springs, CA where he attended Palm Springs High School. After graduating from P.S.H.S., he answered an ad in the local newspaper for a position at Carmichael Designs, a plastic fabrication factory that specialized in custom Acrylic/Lucite furniture and Artwork. In the late 80’s (after being inspired by the unique materials he was working with), he began color laminating on thick Acrylic sheeting. He was greatly influenced by Vasa Mihich, an American artist who in the late 1970s created the “Acrylic Color Laminating” style.
After just 5 years, he became the Chief Fabricator, which enabled him to build on his knowledge in custom Acrylic Laminating and forming field. After 10 years, Zeigler became Production manager and concentrated most of his time on the Custom furnishing end of the business. He was able to build the Carmichael Designs name and reputation into very prominent high end circles and design magazines in the Southern CA area. In the year 2000, he was introduced into a process of mixing colored dyes with the glues.
At the time, only a handful of fabricators around the world were using this special process. This opened the door to market his custom pieces nationwide. After a few years, Zeigler decided to renew his love for the Custom Acrylic Art world and started producing a line of beautiful one-of-a-kind Sculptures and Art Perfume Bottles (as well as continuing his Custom furnishings). Because his pieces are custom, he is able to accept commissions and create any piece, in any size and color that is desired.
Fine art of course has transcended the traditional mediums — paintings (oil on canvas), and sculptures (marble, clay, wood), photography, print-making. Whenever a new technology appears, with new materials and new technologies, innovative artists come forth to embrace the new materials. And this is exactly what Zeigler has done!
CRAIG ZEIGLER, Current Exhibition “Visually Speaking – Color & Form” – Mar. 26, 2016 – Dec. 31, 2016 – Rebecca Fine Art Gallery, 68895 Perez Rd, #7, Cathedral City, Ca (760) 534-5888 — see Zeigler’s work on Fineartvortex.com and Artsy.net — Gallery Hours Wed.-Sat. 11am-4pm or By Appt.
