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Topic Closedearle e. heikka - sculptor

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TasunkaWitko View Drop Down
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Joined: 10 June 2003
Location: Chinook Montana
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Direct Link To This Post Topic: earle e. heikka - sculptor
    Posted: 04 February 2004 at 11:38


"I could live 200 years and never fail to find a new idea for a model." (E.E. Heikka)

 

The Artist: E.E. Heikka

Earl E. Heikka was born to Finnish parents, William and Elizabeth Heikka on May 3, 1910 in Belt, Montana. The youngest of six surviving children, Earl would not have a chance to know his father very long. Willie Hiekka died in 1915, leaving his Finnish-speaking wife and his children in a precarious financial situation. Early in his life, Earl would live with his sister Esther and her husband Ben Eagan in Laurel, Montana and eventually Lewistown, Montana. A bighorn sheep is Heikka’s earliest surviving model and was probably made in the Eagan’s basement for his young cousin Billy. By the time he was 13, Earl was living with his mother in Great Falls and having a difficult time in school. Before entering the tenth grade Earl was so self-conscious of his stammering and the difficulty he was having in his classes that he dropped out of school. Living in Great Falls placed him in close proximity to Charlie Russell and although Earl hung around the studio it is doubtful that he ever received any formal instruction from the artist. However, he did use Russell’s work as both a specific and general reference when creating some of his own sculptures. Earl married Virginia Middleton in 1933 and they spent their honeymoon in Chicago where his work was on view in the Chicago’s Century of Progress Exposition. Despite the Depression, Earl managed to find work and did well selling or trading his sculptures during a very difficult period. In fact, Earl had many supporters, including Marshall Field II, who after seeing Earl’s work in Chicago, arranged for a display of Earl’s work and offered him a studio. Earl turned down the offer, opting instead to return to his beloved Montana. In 1935 his brother, Mike (whom he was extremely close to) died at the age of 28. This had a profound effect on Earl- from which, many believed he never recovered. It was at this point in his life that he began to have domestic problems which were probably compounded by an increase in his drinking. Despite the professional success Earl was having, he committed suicide on May 18, 1941 at the age of 31 from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Early Experiences

The subjects of his models were often directly related to his life experiences. The detail Heikka gave to his subjects was drawn from his firsthand knowledge as a ranch-hand and a hunting guide. Working these jobs allowed Earl to accurately portray descriptive details. The common dress of his co-workers, the materials and techniques used in horse-packing, and the physical attributes of the animals he rode, packed and hunted. While working as a taxidermist for the Great Falls Sporting Goods Company, Earl perfected his technique by learning how to build armatures and internal structures to ensure stability and strength for taxidermy mounts. The combination of these experiences provided him with the skills he needed to create successful sculptures inside and out.

Sculptures: Heikka never anticipated that his models would be cast in bronze. Many of his sculptures consist of different materials which he used to give them a more life-like appearance. It is not unusual to find materials such as tin, leather, canvas, string, copper wire or lead. The fact that he painted his models is another indication that they were the finished product he desired. Inside the sculptures themselves are intricate systems of wire armatures that support the clay surface. Wrapped around this armature you might find finer wire, or you might find papier maché, plaster of paris or excelsior as part of the framework. His experience as a taxidermist probably played an important role in developing his internal structures. On the outside, Heikka used a water-based clay that he air-dried rather than baked. Amazingly, his work seldom cracked, and is extremely stable. Using oil paints, often several layers, he was able to increase the stability of the clay. His skillful brush strokes added texture as well as beauty to his work. His surviving pieces are a testament to a creative and talented artist who also understood the importance of the internal structure needed for successful sculpture.

The Work: Heikka like Russell, captured the romantic image of the old West. This sculpture depicts a Cree Indian warrior and his horse. The Cree is dressed in traditional clothing and wears paint, as does his horse. The warrior is wearing a horned bonnet covered with ermine. A buffalo horn bonnet was only worn by warriors in the highest standing. The slight build of this warrior is common to Heikka’s other human figures. He was criticized by for creating characters that were disproportionate in appearance or too tall or too thin. In contrast to the human figures, Heikka’s authenticity in depicting animals is often lauded for accuracy. Looking at the horse you can see the detail of the animal and especially the muscle of the front shoulders which is a defining characteristic of Heikka’s horse sculptures. The horse is an Appaloosa and is identifiable by its spotted coat. You can also observe the use of various materials in the sculpture such as leather and string. The rein, which hangs loosely in the horse’s mouth, should be tight against the lower jaw. This piece may have loosened over time or was not tightened after the piece was cast in bronze. Whatever you find in Heikka’s sculpture the one thing that stands out is the amount of detail in which he strives to imitate life rather than give an impression of it.

 

For More Information:

Paladin, Vivian A. E.E. Heikka, Sculptor of the American West. Montana Art Investment Company, Inc. 1990.

The article entitled Earl E. Heikka-Sculptor, by Ray W. Steele, which appeared in Volume 1, No.1 (1990) of Russell’s West the C.M. Russell Museum Magazine, on pages 12-13 was referenced in the research of this Collection Profile. Ray Steele is a former executive director of the Museum.



Edited by TasunkaWitko
TasunkaWitko - Chinook, Montana

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