As you climb the Galssford Hill trailhead, you will see to your left Grazing by artist Gene Galazan. Grazing consists of a small herd of wild horses, three large and one small, made of scrap metal and found pieces. Gene sold the first horses he created to the Phippen Museum, and they currently stand outside the museum to greet passersby. We are delighted to have our own small herd of horses Grazing, donated as a permanent addition to the Art at the Center Collection here in Prescott Valley.
As a boy, artist Gene Galazan gave up “realism” when his teacher ignored him and his art assignment to admire the perfect drawing of a horse done by the little girl sitting beside him. Gene decided he could never draw anything that looked like a horse, so why even try? Though he gave up any ideas of realism in creating art, he was inspired from a young age by artists introduced to him by his mother- such as Jackson Pollock - who used largely abstract techniques to express their ideas and creativity.
Gene started his studies in dentistry, but quickly switched to study Art and began a new journey when he discovered sculpture. Using bronze, he began integrating his affinity for the abstract in 3D. Much of his work was sought out by galleries and museums in Wisconsin.
He moved from Wisconsin to Eager, AZ, and found himself surrounded by corrals. He always liked horses but never beyond that, but it was there that he learned the joy, pleasure, and unique smells of horses. One day he found himself inspired to put together some barrels. He found some metal pieces, and he continued to build until it was a horse. He surprised himself with the abstract realism that maintained a strong horse essence and realized “Oh! I don’t have to make a realistic horse!”
Gene continues to create his abstract sculptures at his residence in Prescott, AZ with found treasures from junk yards and scrap piles. He creates his large sculptures by welding, hammering, and piecing together these found items, allowing the sculptural design to emerge.
