One Baltimore artist?s home is a haven of creative expression and faith.
In Loring Cornish?s Druid Park home, carefully constructed mosaics of mirror and glass blanket the floors. Bold, abstract sculptures line the walls, many in the shape of the Christian cross.
“I like living in Baltimore because I am able to glean from the city to get all the materials I need to work. It?s all in my neighborhood,” Cornish said.
He is often spotted with a shopping cart around Druid Park, picking up rusty metal, wood, glass and other objects, which he later builds into sculptures for his home.
The American Visionary Arts Museum has given him his first big break ? an installation the size of a small room that offers a glimpse of his remarkable home. It is part of the museum?s Home and Beast Exhibit, which runs until September 2007.
“People talk about living artfully and including elements of art in their life. For Loring, art transforms everything in his environment,” said Pete Hilsee, spokesman for the American Visionary Art Museum.
A standout in the installation is a bed covered with clocks, glass, telephones and other found objects.
The bed was given to Cornish by a friend, but Cornish prefers sleeping on the floor, so he transformed the piece of furniture into a work of art, Hilsee said.
“Everything he sees and puts his hands on is an opportunity to create art. That?s a wonderful attitude toward life,” Hilsee said.
Cornish offers tours on Saturdays, and his infectious grin and passionate explanations of his art are at least as much of a draw as the sculptures.
Check it out
» Loring Cornish offers tours of his Baltimore home, located at 2714 Parkwood Ave., from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturdays.
» His installation at the American Visionary Arts Museum will run through Sept. 2.
» Info: 443-919-4917; www.avam.org
