
Robert Mullen
Paul Rivas Gallery
Robert Mullen seems undecided about two basic sculptural possibilities––whether to “occupy” or “enclose” space. The polished wooden sculptures tend toward the static monumentality of dolmen and occupy space as highly defined closed forms in spatial relationship with each other. The other sculpture encloses capsules of space more organically; shapes spring from a central core like spiral leaf-growth patterns or coral outcroppings, with much more emphasis on textural effect.
While no sculptor is under any obligation to repeat himself (quite the contrary) one feels that indecision leads to confusion of premise, for while these pieces are consistent within themselves they are not consistent with each other. Mullen’s statement would be more convincing if he were more totally committed to one or the other possibility.
