The City of Stuart will unveil a second sculpture at the Distinguished Service Memorial Park on Sunday, June 3rd. This new sculpture, a bronze bas-relief by Eduardo Gomez Rojas, will complete the second half of the memorial monument at the entrance to the park. The Stuart Rotary Foundation contributed private funds for both. A working figurative sculptor, Eduardo has a studio located in Jensen Beach. His passion to share the deep emotions of a human figure stand out in this sculpture – a mother leaving her child as she goes to serve our country.  The Rickie Report shares the details of the event which is free and Open to the Public.  Special thanks to Eduardo for underscoring the dedication of female veterans and service people who preserve our freedoms.

 

 

EDUARDO    GOMEZ    ROJAS

SHARES   NEWEST   SCULPTURE

“U N C O N D I T I O N A L”

 

A  TRIBUTE  TO FEMALE  VETERANS

 

Distinguished Services Memorial Park

300 SE Ocean Blvd     Stuart, FL  34994

 

Due to inclement weather the unveiling ceremony has been moved to Sunday, June 3 at 11:00 am

 

 

We asked figurative sculptor Eduardo Gomez Rojas to explain the artistic concept behind the second sculpture titled “Unconditional”; the artist commented. “A soldier leaves his home and his children to protect our children. I could not get this thought out of my head. In thinking and doing research for the second sculpture, I came upon the reality that many of the soldiers who are fighting and dying in today’s wars are women. In fact, Florida has the third largest population of female veterans in the United States. When considering these facts, it struck me that a Mom leaving her child to protect mine had to be the ultimate sacrifice. I became obsessed with this mental picture.”

 

Clay for “Unconditional” by Eduardo Gomez Rojas copyright 2018

 

The image above shows the clay rendition which was approved for casting at the foundry. We asked Eduardo to elaborate on the idea. “To make the initial drawings for the concept I asked a female officer in active duty to consult with me. She lent me her backpack, uniform and boots which were worn by the model who had a young child. It struck me visually that the size of the backpack was overwhelming. I felt that this was a visual metaphor for the size of the burden placed upon this soldier. The soldier is in a semi kneeling pose while hugging her child. I placed the child’s face on the other side, so as not to take the focus off the soldier. It also allows the viewer to visualize their own child.  The soldier seems lost in her thoughts as if she is considering the enormity of the situation. She could be praying. She could be leaving or returning. She could be thanking God for protecting her and her child… or asking him to do so. The child can be a metaphor for our nation or for our institutions. Why is she doing this? Unconditional love for her country can be the only reason. That is why the sculpture’s title is “Unconditional” “.

 

“Unconditional” by Eduardo Gomez Rojas copyright 2018

 

The first half of the monument is located in front of the flag, but the monument plans included a second complementary half behind the flag. The bronze sculpture on the first half of the monument titled “Above and Beyond” depicts two male arms holding the folded flag against the heart. We asked Eduardo to remind us about the idea for this work of art. Eduardo Gomez Rojas, said of the first sculpture: “My artistic concept was to depict service above and beyond the call of duty. When I thought of this, it was clear to me that only love of country could bring somebody to do this. I chose the arms hugging the folded flag as the metaphor for love of country, but even further for sacrifice for country”

 

“Above and Beyond” by Eduardo Gomez Rojas copyright 2017

 

This first sculpture which was unveiled on Memorial Day 2017, was very well received by the general public and veterans alike and has become an icon at the park. The purpose of the whole monument is to memorialize those local heroes who have given their lives in the ultimate sacrifice. Each year the names of these soldiers will be placed on the sides of the monument.

 

 

Eduardo Gomez Rojas is a local figurative sculptor and teacher. His work’s singular quality is its force and passion.  His studio is located in Jensen Beach, Florida. He does public and private commissions from small to monumental. His work is collected internationally. Eduardo Gomez: Silent Messages a book about his work was published in 2009. The book is currently available on Amazon.  His main subjects are people and animals. He particularly enjoys sculptural portraiture and memorial sculpture. He is currently a faculty member at the Lighthouse Art Center in Tequesta, Florida and has also taught locally at the Elliott Museum and privately in his own studio. Eduardo moved to Florida from Arkansas 10 years ago, where he was a cofounder of the Arkansas Sculptor’s Guild.

 

 

 

 

For more information about this sculpture, commissions, classes, workshops and other works of art contact:
Eduardo Gomez

Eduardo Gomez Sculpture Studio

953 NE Industrial Blvd

Jensen Beach, Florida 34957

Website: www.eduardogomez.com
Email: eduardogomezsculpture@gmail.com
501-765-2609
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eduardogomezsculpture
Instagram: @eduardogomezsculpture
Twitter: @eduardosculptor

 

 

 

 

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