Robert Turriff

The ReWilders are imaginative, sci-fi-inspired creatures designed by youth from the Nanaimo community during a collaborative public engagement workshop with artist Robert Turriff. These sculptures symbolize “ReWilding”—the practice of restoring natural habitats. Depicted in the act of removing invasive species and planting native plants, they represent the importance of land stewardship.

The artist provided a set of 3D-printed parts—heads, limbs, tools, and more—that could be assembled in countless combinations using wooden dowels and modeling clay. Eleven youth participants created unique designs, with two winning creatures, Chopper and Jeremy, selected by the youth for large-scale fabrication by the artist. The original designs were scanned, modeled in 3D, and enlarged to twelve times their initial size. This collaborative effort reflects an intentional process of fostering dialogue, community involvement, and active engagement among Nanaimo’s youth in the city’s cultural landscape.

Chopper and Jeremy have been deliberately installed in Colliery Dam Park, where the City of Nanaimo and community volunteers actively work to remove invasive species and restore natural habitats. This artwork underscores the importance of native ecosystems, which support local wildlife, enhance climate resilience, and help communities endure environmental challenges like drought and climate change.

My sculpture, a large metal depiction of a frog skeleton gripping a tree branch, serves as a powerful statement on Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability. The skeletal form of the frog, magnified to larger-than-life scale, symbolizes the urgency of our ecological crisis. Its gripping stance on the branch illustrates nature's tenacious struggle for survival amidst environmental degradation.

This artwork is not merely a representation but a call to action. It urges viewers to confront the devastating impact of climate change and pollution on biodiversity. The skeletal frog, suspended in its precarious position, embodies the fragility of our ecosystem and the vulnerability of all species.

Through this sculpture I seek to provoke reflection and inspire change. I want viewers to recognize their role in preserving our planet's delicate balance and fostering a sustainable future where every creature, no matter how small, can thrive in harmony with nature.

This interactive public art piece to spark dialogue on climate change and environmental stewardship. Standing at 7 feet tall, the Grassquatch is a friendly creature sculpted from steel and soil-filled pockets, ready to "grow" its grass-hair with help from the community. Throughout August, participants are invited to plant native, drought-tolerant grasses (Carex pachystachya) that thrive on the West Coast, learning about sustainable native plants. Together, the community brings Grassquatch to life, symbolizing the shared effort needed to protect our planet.

“Sentinel Watcher” this sculpture draws inspiration from early science fiction, portraying a creature hailing from a unknowable realm. It serves as a tangible manifestation of the eerie, otherworldly, and peculiar—defying scientific comprehension and flouting the laws of nature. Crafted from welded mild steel, this enigmatic creation takes center stage at the 2023 Castlegar Sculpture Walk in British Columbia.

Conceived as a guardian of nature, the sculpture assumes the role of a sentinel, vigilantly overseeing human activities. Despite its seemingly static appearance, this robotic organic entity instills an ominous sensation, hinting at its latent capacity for action. In the artist's vision, this creature stands as a defender of the last remnants of thriving ecosystems. It functions as an artificial intelligence-generated protective drone, distinct from human creation, acting where human greed and hubris may fail to act, serving as a poignant commentary on our collective responsibilities towards the environment.

"Cyborg Muse" is a sculpture that embodies the fusion of organic and mechanical elements within a futuristic narrative. Crafted from scrap steel and featuring a fibreglass-cast refined face, this piece represents the convergence of humanity and technology.

The sculpture symbolizes the transformative power of technological advancements as the female figure emerges from a protective pod. It prompts viewers to ponder the evolving relationship between humans and technology, raising questions about identity, beauty standards, and emotional depth in an increasingly automated world.

As an artist, I aim for "Cyborg Muse" to spark discussions about the intersections of art, technology, and humanity, inspiring wonder and introspection while highlighting the profound transformations reshaping our society.

Reintegration is a figurative sculpture made welded mild steel then coated in hot dip galvanizing. Restoring the form to its imagined original state. Arbitrarily twisted wire creates the underlying structure. From this tangle of wire emerges a female figure representing strength through connections seen and unseen. 64”x 64” x 16” Featured in the 2022 Castlegar Sculpture Walk. Now Being leased by the city of Nelson, British Columbia.

The sculpture titled "HereAfter" draws inspiration from the northern red-legged frog, representing native species in North America. Crafted from solid forged steel balls, rods, and spun metal hemispheres, the Frog skeleton takes form as a poignant statement.Situated in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, "HereAfter" is a featured installation in the 2023 Sioux Falls Sculpture Walk.The underlying concept of this sculpture revolves around the idea that frogs can only thrive in environments with minimal pollution. Their sensitive, permeable skin readily absorbs toxins, by-products of industrialization. This accumulation of toxins then traverses the food chain, posing a threat from prey to predator, and ultimately endangering the entire ecosystem.The somewhat morbid nature of the sculpture, comprising of a human-scale frog skeleton, serves to evoke empathy from the viewer. By portraying the plight of smaller species within our shared environment, "HereAfter" encourages reflection on the impact of industrial practices on the delicate balance of ecosystems.

Abstract organic forms with bulbous shapes that undulate and twist, aiming to capture a sense of squishiness. The majority of my sculptures are crafted from Elm or Maple burls. I employ a vocabulary of forms that I sketch out and consistently revisit in my artistic practice. Carving, for me, is a therapeutic process where I often embark without a predetermined plan. Instead, I respond to the unique qualities revealed in the wood, making the creative journey more of an exercise in achieving a harmonious flow. I sometimes achieve the flow state, often no.

Robert has dedicated his artistic exploration to the fusion of diverse materials and processes within his sculptures. The showcased works exemplify this commitment, featuring carved spalted broad leaf maple intricately combined with plaster, all secured to a meticulously crafted metal armature. The sculptures' foundations consist of welded steel, repurposed from discarded propane tank scraps, demonstrating Robert's innovative approach to incorporating unconventional elements.

One of his notable creations, which successfully underwent this material fusion, found a new home in Taipei after being acquired by a private collector. The integration of maple, plaster, and salvaged steel propane tank components in this piece served as an insightful investigation into the harmonious coexistence of disparate materials.

In contrast, the second work was an experimental venture where Robert explored the interaction between orange plaster casting and farm equipment. Unfortunately, this particular piece met an untimely demise and no longer exists, underscoring the inherent risks and challenges associated with the perilous nature of studios for sculpture in Vancouver.

Solo Show at the Stride Gallery 2012, Calgary, Alberta. Fictive-Forests This installation provides viewers with a nuanced exploration of the artifice inherent in cinema and the intricate construction of representation within artistic practice. By suspending causal explanations and analysis, the audience is invited to immerse themselves fully in the collective impact of the work. This encompasses not only the cinematic narrative but also the viewer's own presence, creating a symbiotic relationship with the installation.The divergence between Turriff's artistic intent and the performative engagement of the audience carves out a unique space. Here, viewers are empowered to (re)introduce their own meanings and interpretations to the installation. While participants may feel they are claiming a place in an ancient forest, the setting is inherently fictive. Dappled light punctuates lattice canopies formed by intricately intertwined pine and fern fronds, spruce tubers breach the dark earth, and bending roots unfurl. Vine maples envelop mammoth cedar stumps and limbs, while lush mosses embellish bubbling barks with a palette of rich greens and umbers. Yet, this captivating scene is, in essence, a meticulously crafted illusion. Turriff achieves this mesmerizing effect through a skillful blend of plaster, pigment, and plastic. Welcome to the realm of Robert Turriff's multi-media installation, "Fictive Forests."

Robs' Tiki Bar was a transformative art installation that breathed life into the otherwise mundane and earnest student gallery, the Marion Nicoll Gallery at the Alberta University of Art in Calgary, Alberta. Robert infused the space with vibrant energy, constructing a lively tiki bar adorned with video projects and a dynamic stage that hosted a spectrum of performances. From burlesque shows to fashion spectacles and drag performances, the space became a melting pot of creativity. Notable bands, such as Matt Masters and the gentlemen of the rodeo, and Thunder = Lava, featuring Andy Sparacino "Tron" from Fubar, graced the stage, amplifying the festive atmosphere.Rob's vision aimed to forge a temporary community, if only for a moment, uniting participants in a collective experience that exuded exuberance. While the installation may not have adhered to traditional definitions of highbrow art, it embraced a spirit of enjoyment and spontaneity. Rob's Tiki Bar encouraged attendees to revel in the absurdity, fostering a sense of accomplishment and camaraderie as they collectively exclaimed, "Yeah! We did that – it might be whimsical and not intricately refined, but it's undeniably fun."

Pulse Quasar, Interactive outdoor light sculpture, Glow Winter Lights festival, Artist, Calgary, Alberta. Commissioned by Downtown Calgary association , Pulse Quasar interactive light installation, Pulse quasar using sensors and LED light that the public could activate by triggering sensors and this signal would be sent to arduino that I programmed to radiate out coloured lights in a sculpture above the participants head, Calgary Alberta.

Compassion Generator was an interactive public art piece I created in Taiwan as part of the 2010 Cultural Olympiad. Viewers activated the prayer wheels by spinning them, which, in turn, engaged a motor and generated electricity. This power source was then directed to a small electronic circuit featuring a 10-pin step counter and a 505 chip. The result was the blinking of LED lights, creating a captivating visual experience.