California sculptor T Barny states, “As a young child I loved to make sand castles on the beach. But, people never recognized my castles because they were really my first abstract sculptures.

I have worked in almost every material, form, and scale; from carved stone to neon, argon or mercury gas-filled blown glass; from classical clay figures to welded or cast metal abstract objects; from jewelry size sculptures to monumental forty-foot fabric installations and landscape garden designs. This encompassing experience drew me back to the oldest material of Man, the one that I continue to find the most expressive...stone."

Known for his trademark curvilinear pieces, T Barny’s stone sculpture also includes wall hangings, primitive stone carvings and fountain sculptures.  “When people hear beautiful music they feel it.  I want people to feel the same harmony when they see and touch my sculpture.”  T Barny describes that he wants his viewer to experience the visual melody and to enjoy the touch of stone that is smooth & silky, and to explore the partnership of wonder that man & nature can create.

T Barny comments that many people respond to an exhibit of modern art by exclaiming, "my two year old could do that!"  “When people see my art I want them to say, "How does he do that?" I do not want my work to reflect the ugliness of life. I want to give you a good feeling; enriched and stimulated by the beauty of life.”

WORLD OF STONE – JUNE 6, 2009

In this economy, you have to be creative.  Think outside of the box, or in this case, outside of your block of stone.  You have to look at what works and stretch yourself to the ends of the earth in order to come up with that unique twist that puts your event in another reality.  T Barny’s event this year does just that with the underlying theme “stone is universal” and appeals to all as does music and art.  Worldwide this show exhibits the celebration of stone and the reminder that “the only investment holding its’ value is art”. 

Each June, the T Barny Gallery & Sculpture Gardens holds its annual event which provides an opportunity to invest in art.  The participants’ experience the artistic process as the artist guides them through the choosing of stone, size and design to the unveiling of their new sculpture piece.  Themed events held with this idea have included commissions based on his Artist-in-Residence in Greece, one in iTaly and Calcite ’08 where the whole show was comprised of one type of stone.  This year the show goes international focusing on 16 different countries and their stone.   

T Barny states, “I will create a “World of Stone”; an exhibit of 16 sculptures from 16 different countries.  I’ve been carving in stone for 30 years.  Stone has personality, character, texture and density.  Knowing how to work with many types of stone, I create this challenge for myself and an adventure for my guests.” 

The guests will enter through ‘Customs’ receiving their passports.  They will travel the globe with T Barny having their passports stamped as they enjoy the sculpture exhibits of 3 continents “The America’s”, “Europe” and the “Far East”.  The event invites you to interact with the country and their stone by employing curator skills.  Participants will vote and compete for prizes naming their Favorite Country, Color of Stone and Style of Sculpture.  International cuisine & libations will be served with the cosmopolitan sounds of a local band named “Batacha”. 

By creating an investment opportunity, the artist T Barny creates his livelihood and his passion.  His professional sculpting career has spanned decades and his pieces hold prestigious placement in collections internationally.