Biographical Information

A Life Built Toward Art

Born in Batavia, New York in 1971 Heath Bartel spent his early childhood in Akron, New York. Before he could read he pursued art. As a child he created drawings with anything that would make a mark, from using lipstick and charred sticks to conventional markers. As a highly active and inventive child his playthings consisted of finger-paints, craft kits, modeling clay, construction and drawing paper, markers, erector sets, and building blocks. By the time Heath completed elementary school he had a natural inclination toward art and mechanical devices.

"By the time I was twelve I knew I would be an artist" is the way Heath described his realization of a life in the arts. As an adolescent he was interested in science fiction and comic books who’s fantastic content would later influence much of his work. Growing up in the 70’s and 80’s he was exposed to the films of Steven Spielberg and George Lucas, the United States Space Program, the birth of modern computers, and cyberpunk pop culture. His preoccupation with gadgetry and an obsession with fireworks would later prove influential in his work.

Majoring in art at Buffalo State College Heath concentrated on art history while spending five years in studio art and design. He began to experiment with the use of electricity and light as a primary medium in sculpture. After attaining his BA in Art he began the "Mask Series" and completed two experimental sculptural works that would evolve into the "Light Sculpture" series.

In the two years between Buffalo State College and his acceptance into the University at Buffalo’s Graduate program, he painted the "Mask Series" and constructed the "Light Sculpture" series. He had two solo exhibits of these works in the Buffalo, NY and participated in group, and national exhibitions.

Upon entering the painting program at the University at Buffalo he felt that one discipline was limiting in the creation of art. He decided the departmental system was too rigid for his needs. Being confined to "painting" was too narrow for his working style at the time. His response was the beginning of the "Planetary Monuments" body of work. This group of large-scale sculptures and installations pays tribute to the planets of our solar system. He skillfully used illusionistic painting, large constructions, and mechanical lighting devices. Combined with science fiction, special effects, and faux finishes used in the cinema these works would showcase Heath’s sense of humor and quirky use of invention. He no longer fit into the prescribed construction of the painting program. "I was no longer a painter or solely a sculptor, I was an artist. I was creating good work and the school just had to deal with it….the fact that I did not fit into a category was not my problem it became the problem for others. It’s the 90’s and if an artist does not use all the tools and abilities available to him [to make art] then he loses his edge." This opened the doors for other graduate students at the University at Buffalo to cross disciplines. "Painters switched to doing photography and photographers began doing sculpture installations. Artists like Lucas Samaras and Jennifer Bartlett always worked outside the confines of conventionality."

After receiving his MFA, Heath was hired by the State University College at Fredonia to teach Drawing and Design. He received recognition for his teaching methods and wrote new courses in Native American Arts for the college. As a class project he and his students built a life size section of an Iroquois longhouse on the campus. As an Adjunct Professor at Fredonia his schedule afforded him the time and opportunity to teach at other institutions such as the University at Buffalo, Buffalo State College, Villa Maria College, Daemen College, Niagara County Community College.

In 2001 Heath was married to his fiancé Holly Churchill. In 2002 he became involved with the New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA), first as a painting panelist then as an advisor on the artist’s advisory committee. Upon completion of his new studio in 2002 he began his current body of work known as the 21^st Century Landscapes. This work has been shown in group shows in Portland, OR, Norman, OK, Amherst, NY, and Niagara Falls NY. Two solo shows of this work are scheduled in 2006 in Nashville and New York City.

As of May 2006 Heath Bartel has been appointed as the Professor of Fine Arts at Genesee Community College, Batavia, NY. Heath is also the Chair of the Fine Arts Exhibition Committee.

VISIT GALLERY OF IMAGES

Click Link-http://heathbartel.com/v-web/gallery