The traditions and methods of working that thread Northwest Artists together have taken root within me. References to natural form, energetic mark making, mystical surface quality, and spiritual yearning are foundational for me when creating work.
The abstracted and simplified forms that I repeatedly explore originally came from detailed floral drawings that I made in my garden from 1994 to 1999. Over time I have stripped away what I felt was superfluous to reveal the essential form – the spirit of the thing. Regular contemplative and meditative experiences give me the inward focus I need to create works that are relevant to contemporary viewers and yet I look to develop pieces that transcend specific time and place.
The use of simplified, abstracted forms, and emotional color collaborate to form narrations that often develop into metaphors, which reference our humanity, and spiritual thought. Though each piece is born from a specific personal desire for expression – the works aren’t tethered to a “specific” story and are therefore approachable for all viewers to react to out of their own history.
Upon graduating from Seattle Pacific University in 1992 with an emphasis in Studio Art Squire Broel moved to Hong Kong where he was influenced greatly by the culture and natural surroundings. After living in Hong Kong, he moved back to the Northwest. Broel took up working at the Walla Walla Foundry as their patineur. He worked as the bronze coloration specialist for six years consulting and working for such artists as Jim Dine, Debby Butterfield, David Bates, the late Nancy Graves and the late Robert Arneson. He used that time to hone his own skills and develop his own manner of working.
Near the end of 1997 Squire left the Walla Walla Foundry and opened Broel Studio. This move has allowed Broel to focus on his own work full time. Employing his education, knowledge of art history and experience as patineur Broel is painting and sculpting to convey his vision and reaction to objects, images and emotions of our day.
- Squire Broel