Modern Fossil
David Horowitz
Environmental artist David Horowitz has worked as a gallery and commission artist, and as an architectural designer, since 2001. Presently he presides as Curator, Director and Artist in Residence of the new outdoor sculpture garden at Whittemore Community, Culture, and Conservation Center in Oldwick, NJ. David’s diverse, unique background in materials, techniques, processes, and disciplines ranges from: restoring and conserving historic architectural ornamental plaster; wood carving; mural painting; gilding; decorative painting and finishing; showing as a gallery artist at Gale-Martin Fine Art Gallery (Chelsea NYC, 2002-2003); presiding as artist-in-residence, materials expert, and architectural designer for Rockwell Group, an international architectural firm in NYC (2005-2007); and creating permanent public art installations in private and corporate collections (1995-present). His public works include: a permanent 20 ft by 11 ft “Urban Fossil” sculpture of plaster and found objects in the public lobby of 95 Morton St in NYC, four 10 ft by 38 inch diameter sculptural tree carvings as permanent installations in the public lobby of The Riverhouse in Battery Park NYC, and metal patina twists creating a 12’ high wave pattern throughout the lobby of The Riverhouse. In 2015, when the Starbucks at 25 Union Square West in NYC selected David to represent NYC artists, he created a 25 ft by 8 ft “Urban Fossil” Wall Sculpture for their common space. At Natirar / Ninety Acres (a multi-facility restaurant, spa, and private club in Peapack-Gladstone NJ), David has produced 14 hand-carved, large-scale wood sculpture pieces that can be seen throughout the 90 acre facility, both indoors and outdoors. David's work at Natirar continues throughout the present day. David was also owner / director of Terra Firma Studio, a fine art contracting company in NYC (1993–2005), and is currently owner of DPH Studios Inc., a custom furniture studio in Frenchtown, NJ (2007-present).
Judith Marchand
Judith Marchand has been a resident of the Delaware River area for over 14 years. Her love for the river drives her passion for canoeing, kayaking, running on the tow path, and hiking the region's many trails. Her deep desire to preserve the pristine beauty of the river and its environment has found expression through her artwork. Each original piece highlights the importance of the interwoven circle that must exist in every thriving river town: that of the River sustaining the Community and the Community preserving the River.
Judith and David have been collaborating since November 2016. They have produced several commercial commissions together including: 10 plaster fresco murals for Joie Clothing Boutique, which are installed in retail stores across the country (from Madison Avenue in NYC to Santa Monica CA), as well as a 500 square foot “Urban Fossil” (a cement and plaster installation) for Current/Elliott Flagship Fashion Boutique on Fillmore Street in San Francisco CA. Their collaborative works have led to the current, award-winning “Modern Fossil” series. Together, Judith and David have exhibited in numerous solo and group shows, have received several awards, have been guest lecturers, and have amassed a large following of loyal Modern Fossils fans.
Artist Statement:
Mankind's interaction with its natural environment is the basis and subject of this work. Just as natural fossils are the imprints of prehistoric life on earth, we have created "Modern Fossils": pieces that ponder the substances we are currently leaving behind in our environment, to be unearthed far in the future. We were initially inspired by the embellished metal manhole and storm drain covers that are found in our local cities / towns. With these in mind, we create original plaster artworks, which proclaim the truth that our Planet’s health is key to our community's existence and future.
While doing local environmental clean-ups, we collect both natural materials and man-made detritus, which we use to design the images in our pieces. Our resulting wall-hangings and sculptures embody the modern dilemma of mankind's struggle to maintain a balanced relationship with nature. Our artworks also proclaim a vital environmental message: the urgent necessity of keeping our Planet clean and healthy.
Modern Fossils have their roots in Judith's love for the environment and her local river town community, combined with David's 25+ years of experience in creating and casting environmental sculptures in his native NYC and in cities around the world.
