Robert Anthony Spinazzola was born at Harper Hospital in Detroit in 1952. He received an Associates degree in Liberal Arts from Macomb College and then received his B.A. from Wayne State University in 1977. While at Wayne State, Robert developed a passion for the visual arts. Enrolled in the Graduate School of Art History, he left after completing one semester to begin his creative journey. Without any formal art training, Robert relied upon artist friends, instinct and a few welding courses to launch his career in sculpture.
“In 1975 I began working in Cass Corridor, a tough but culturally significant district of Detroit, shaping and assembling discarded motorcycle and salvaged steel parts. The process has evolved into acetylene and electric welded constructions. I still choose to use discarded mechanical artifacts because I find them singularly precious and beautiful. Though I’ve lived in New York over 30 years, the subject of many of my sculptures involves the City of Detroit and its automotive-based workforce. These roots have never left me.
Currently home as a symbol has become a centering focus of my work. This is my 47th year of making sculpture.” —Robert Anthony Spinazzola, Hastings on Hudson, NY
SELECTED ONE MAN EXHIBITIONS
“The Evolution Gallery,” Peekskill, NY March 2019, September 2018
Beval Saddlery, New Canaan, CT 2017
Jade Gallery, New York, NY 2012
Orchard Windows Gallery, New York, NY 2011, 2010
Knicker Bocker Lofts, New Rochelle, NY 2007
O’Brien Architectural Offices, Bedford Hills, NY 2002
Chappaqua Library Sculpture Garden, Chappaqua, NY 1999
Sound Shore Gallery, Cross River, NY 1997, 1991, 1998
Gallery Joe, Philadelphia, PA 1994
Helio Galleries, New York, NY 1991, 1990
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
“Hypotheticals”, Chroma Fine Art Gallery, Katonah, NY May 2022
“Tiger”, Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, Pound Ridge, NY May 2022
“Apricity ”, Chroma Fine Art Gallery, Katonah, NY February 2022
“Tranquil”, Chroma Fine Art Gallery, Katonah, NY February. December 2021
“Collaborative Concepts”, Tilly Foster Farm, Brewster, NY September 2021
“Solidity”, Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, Pound Ridge, NY July 2021
“Gallarus Arts Space, High Design”, Katonah, NY February 2019
Ward pound Ridge Reservation, Pound Ridge, NY May 2022
Katonah Library Outdoors, Katonah, NY December 2019, 2018
Ward pound Ridge Reservation, Pound Ridge, NY May 2022
“Gallery Artists”, Red Fox Gallery, Bedford, NY 2018-2017
“Governors Island Art Exhibit,” New York, NY September 2013, 2009, 2008
Artprize, Amway Hotel Plaza, Grand Rapids, MI September 2011
O.I.T. Gallery, Montreal, Canada August 2010
“The New Americana,” Bond Street Gallery, Brooklyn, NY August 2010
“Rubbish, Art and the Ecosystem,” White Plains, NY May 2009
“Change,” The Seed Gallery, Newark, NJ January 2009
“Pencil. Paint. Steel.” Secrets Gallery, Hastings on Hudson, NY March 2008
“Japanese Arts,” Gallery Yellow, Crossriver, NY August 2006
“The Boys of Summer II,” Ironwood Gallery, Ridgefield, CT July-August 2005
“The World Series of Historical Baseball,” The Henry Ford Museum, Dearborn, MI August 2004
“Appalachian State University,” (Honorarium winner) 2001-March 2002
“Creatures,” Elaine Benson Gallery, Bridgehampton, NY 1998, 1995, 1989, 1984
“The Horse in Fine Art,” Appleton Museum of Art, Ocala, FL (National Tour) 1997-1998
“Angels,” Castle Gallery, College of New Rochelle, New Rochelle, NY 1993
“Art of the Northeast,” (Award winner, Best Sculpture) Silvermine Arts Center, New Canaan, CT 1992
“Kentucky Derby Museum,” Louisville, KY 1987
AWARDS
Artist Honorarium, The Meredith Outdoor Sculpture Walk, Meredith, NH July 2017
Artist Honorarium, The 15th Rosen Outdoor Sculpture Competition, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC May 2001
Artist Honorarium, First Prize, The Albert Jacobson Memorial Award, Art of the Northeast, Silvermine Arts Center, New Canaan, CT May 1992
CORPORATE COLLECTIONS
Arnold Bakeries, Port Chester, NY
F. D. Rich, Stamford, CT
General Electric, Washington, DC
MCI, Rye, NY
PepsiCo, Somers, NY
Pfizer Inc, Rye, NY
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY
E. Baum, “Local artist hosts outdoor sculpture event”, Record Review, June 21, 2019
M. Legend, “Baseball Cards of Steel”, Record Review, April 12, 2019
E. Baum, “Double Rabbit. at Katonah Library”, Record Review, Dec. 14, 2019
E. Baum, “Raise the Caliber at Red Fox Gallery”, Record Review, June 2019
G. Gouveia, “WRECKED AUTO INDUSTRY ... ,” The Journal News, August 9, 2009
I. Hiskey Arno, “TRIO OF ARTISTS ADD TWIST ... ,” The Rivertowns Enterprise, July 3, 2009
G. Gouveia, “FINDING RELEVANCE IN RUBBISH ... ,” The Journal News, May 31, 2009
Jacquelyn Lewis, “ISLAND FAIR,” Art Info Magazine, October 2, 2008
D. Dominick Lombardi, “VISUAL DEPTH ... ,” The New York Times, July 4, 1999
Vivian Raynor, “TWO’S THE NUMBER ... ,” The New York Times, October 26, 1997
Paul Sipper, “... UNIQUE SCULPTURE,” The Record Review, October 10, 1997
Vivian Raynor, “MESSAGES, ABSTRACTLY / REALISTICALLY,” The New York Times, May 12, 1996
Jude Schwendenwien, “CONNECTICUT,” Sculpture Magazine, May - June, 1995
Vivian Raynor, “CHAPPAQUA ... SCULPTORS,” The New York Times, January 22, 1995
Edward Sozanski, “SHOW BOASTS A JUNKYARD HORSE,” The Philadelphia Inquirer, July 1, 1994
Vivian Raynor, “HARBINGERS OF JOY ... ,” The New York Times, December 19, 1993
Vivian Raynor, “IN YOUR OWN BACK YARD ... ,” The New York Times, August 1, 1993
Design Watch, “VANE GLORIOUS,” House Beautiful, November, 1992
Vivian Raynor, “A SHOW...BY ARTISTS OF THE NORTHEAST,” The New York Times, May 31, 1992
Carolee Ross, “SILVERMINE’S, ART ... A TRIUMPH,” The Advocate and Greenwich Times, May 24, 1992
Paula Hauser, “SPINAZZOLA, ART THAT BREATHES,” Equine Magazine, Spring Issue, 1991
Frank Magiera, “ARTISTS ... ,” The Worchester Telegram, May 6, 1990
Robert Long, “CREATURES AT BENSON ... ,” The Southhampton Press, August 17, 1989
Carol Everingham, “LANDMARK’S GALLERIES,” The Stamford Advocate, April 2, 1989
Vivian Raynor, “SUMMER 88 ... ,” The New York Times, September 4, 1988
Kenworth W. Moffett, Moffett’s Artletter, Vol. 3, No. 3, Sept. 1988; Vol. 3, No. 1, March 1988; Vol. 1, No. 7, Sept. 1986
Helen Harrison, “CAPTURING CREATURES ... ,” The New York Times, Sept. 8, 1988
Vivian Raynor, “HASTING SHOW... SPONTANEITY,” The New York Times, April 28, 1985
Kathy Beals, “GALLERY UNVEILS CONTEMPORARY DRAWING EXHIBIT,” The Gannet Westchester, April 12, 1985
BASEBALL CARD ART EXHIBITIONS
“Boys of Summer 2,” Ironwood Gallery, Ridgefield, CT July 2005
Henry Ford Museum, “The World Series of Historical Baseball,” Dearborn, MI August 2004
The Double Day Cafe, Cooperstown, NY May 2003
“The Sports Show,” The Arts Alliance, Haverstraw, NY November, 2000
Cafe Ole, South Norwalk, CT April, 1994
Bill Goff Baseball Art. Kent, CT March 1992, 1993
Mickey Mantle’s Restaurant, New York, NY April 1991, 1992
“Topps 40th Anniversary Exhibit,” Westchester County Center, White Plains, NY August 1991
“Town Center Baseball Art Exhibit,” Town Center, Chicago, IL July 1990
“Top of the Ninth,” Gallery 53, Cooperstown, NY July 1990
“The Art of the Baseball Card, The Gallery at Hastings-on-Hudson, NY June 1989
BASEBALL CARD BIBLIOGRAPHY
Emily Kratzer, “ALLIANCE GOES TO BAT ... ,” The Journal News, November 9, 2000
Liz Marcal, “TIGER FAN TURNS HIS HEROES INTO ‘MEN OF STEEL,’ ” The Norwalk Hour, June 10, 1994
NATIONAL BASEBALL CARD EXHIBIT, Official Program, Westchester County Center, White Plains, NY, August 1991
WXYZ TELEVISION, December 29, 1989 Detroit, MI
ESPN BASEBALL MAGAZINE SHOW #222, September 4, 1989
William Zimmer, “THE STAR ... IS THE BASEBALL CARD,” The New York Times, June 18, 1989
Maury Allen, “ARTISTS GIVE VIEW OF A BASEBALL CARD,” The Herald Statesman, June 3, 1989