A modern master of “living bronze” sculpture,
Victor Issa is one of the few artists working today who possesses
the rare craft and ability to transform cold, hard metal into
forms that resemble the softness of skin and that appear as if
they could breathe and move, with such dynamic realism. He is
renowned for his expertise in capturing the primal passion,
beauty and vitality of the human figure, and the spirit within.
His famous works of religious figures, celebrities, angels,
fairies, and more have been seen and admired around the world. We
had the special opportunity to sit talk with this esteemed
artist, learn where he came from, and discover what motivates the
greatness of the artwork he creates.
Hollywood Sentinel: Victor, it is a real honor
to speak with you. Your work is truly amazing. Where are you from
and how did you begin as a sculptor?
Victor Issa: I grew up in
Lebanon, in the Middle East, I finished high school there, and
then I came to America as a freshman in college. Up until I was
in college, I hadn’t taken any art classes. I knew that I
was really drawn to artistic endeavors. I would draw and paint
before I even had any supplies to speak of, with whatever I
could. I even did some carvings, I carved an elephant out of soap
one time, and so I guess you could say I had the bug during the
early years, but I never thought I could make a living at it,
because I didn’t know any artist making a living at
sculpture or as a painter.
Hollywood Sentinel: Where were you
living at this time?
Victor Issa: Beirut. Part of this at the time
was Northern Lebanon, in the villages.
Hollywood Sentinel: And how was the political
climate at this time and your environment?
Victor Issa: We immigrated in 73, which was just
a year or two before the civil war broke out, and we lived in
what could be considered the golden years of Lebanon, definitely
a beautiful time, and the country was peaceful, and growing and
prosperous, and then upon leaving- there was unrest, and up until
now I guess there is still conflict.
Hollywood Sentinel: I see, do you still have
friends or family back there?
Victor Issa: No, all of my family
exceept a couple of my cousins on my mother’s side came the
west, either to Canada or the United States, one or two families
went to Australia, and the rest all left Lebanon in the
70’s.
Hollywood Sentinel: Do you get back there
ever?
Victor Issa: I managed a trip nine years ago, I
took three of my children and they got to see where they grew
up.
Hollywood Sentinel: You were in college and you
began heavily in artwork when?
Victor Issa:I entered college with the
intent to graduate as a music education major, because as I said,
I didn’t know any artists making a living, so I
didn’t think I could either. I was taking art as a minor,
and I found myself spending more time in the art building instead
of the music building and so my advisor taking note of that
suggested I switch to art as a major. But I loved music
enough that I decided to double major for a while, and after six
years of college I decided to graduate with just an art major and
a music minor, I finished a degree in education, but I never got
a (full time) job as a teacher. I did some part time teaching, and I got a
job in the hotel industry (at that time) to support the family. I
graduated in 1980, and in 1988 I decided to pursue art full time,
and we decided to move from Nebraska to Colorado, and went full
time in Colorado and launched my career.
Hollywood Sentinel: What area of music were you
really drawn to?
Victor Issa: I guess my vocal teacher picked
upon a talent with my voice, and so I was a vocal major, vocal
conducting, as first tenor.
Hollywood Sentinel: Where you are at now, and
when you were first learning, when you were carving the elephant
in soap, that is obviously a huge leap, can you kind of fill in
the gap for me, how did you learn to do what you do now as a
sculptor?
Victor Issa: A part of my requirements for art
education was a sculpture class. I took the first two semesters
at my small parochial college, in Lincoln Nebraska, and I was
fairly elementary, and then I needed additional coursework so I
went to the University of Nebraska where I signed up for their
figure sculpture class, and I was totally hooked and just really
loved the process and all of that and so after the class in
college I really enjoyed that and after college I started doing
some independent work and I hired a model myself and took about
nine months to finish a half life size piece.
Hollywood Sentinel: I have to digress for a
minute, as you know I am also a model and talent manager…
what did she look like? Was this your future wife?
Continued on next
page.
Visit: www.VictorIssa.com
Tel: 1-800-720-4772
© 2011, The Hollywood Sentinel