Richard Gachot 1933-2018

Richard Gachot studied design and color with Joseph Albers at Yale, however sculpture became his artistic medium of expression. Richard found peace of mind in retiring from his career in advertising and letting his imagination run wild in creating his sculpture. Early in his artistic career he began creating a series of sculptures entitled “Industry”. These works are activated by turning a crank which sets in motion countless small carved figures with bottle caps for hats and ball bearings for eyes, each going about their appointed task, as found in “The first Cotton Gin, The One that Didn’t Work”. Another sculpture in the series “Deviltry” depicts devils performing the seven deadly sins- lust, gluttony, pride, avarice, wrath, sloth and envy. Richard lives in a 1760 Quaker farmhouse in Old Westbury NY. An old converted ice house on his property serves as his studio, along with his basement. As one descends the stairs to his work shop and meanders through the narrow passageways surrounded by objects at every turn, one feels a little like Alice in her magical wonderland after her trip down the rabbit hole. The studio is full of what some may call junk, but for the artist it is his inspiration, his art supply store, or what he calls his “wall of parts”. Hanging down from the ceiling are all kinds of old cooking implements, cheese graters, gelatin molds, storage tins etc. Neatly stacked along the walls are all sorts of discarded wooden objects from chair rails to antique stocking stretchers. On the floor are larger objects like old typewriters, broken toys and carpet sweepers, old television sets and vacuum cleaners. When asked if he considers himself a recycler, Gachot says, “Yes,” quickly adding, “but that is not what it is all about.” I have an idea that I want to express and that is my reason for making art. Some of these ideas are given form by this wall of parts.” Gachot’s sculpture is often described as Found Object Art, yet there is much more to it than that. As the artist explains, “Found objects are only part of it. What I do is more than putting pieces together to resemble something else, or using found objects to create functional furnishings. An array of found objects of different sizes, shapes, color and texture on my workshop floor is like a drawer full of paint tubes. It is another medium for me to work with or combine with painting or carving. Before I start, I have an idea that I want to express visually. It can be a small idea like the noise of footsteps going upstairs or more complicated like “Deviltry”. You have to stay with the idea, not the medium. With found objects its easy to get sidetracked. I look at these objects. They speak to me, and when I’m finished, I want them to speak for me.”

"Queen Bee" spark plugs, copper on found wood stenciled with title and signed

"Daisies" copper and stainless molds sheared signed

Richard Gachot "Bumble Bee"

"Peace Dove" Copper mounted on found object wood

"Turtle" antique pruning shears and jello mold on wheels

Richard Gachot

"Queen Bee" spark plugs, copper on found wood stenciled with title and signed

"Daisies" copper and stainless molds sheared signed"Daisies"copper and stainless molds shearedsigned

Richard Gachot "Bumble Bee" "Bumble Bee"

"Peace Dove" Copper mounted on found object wood Peace DoveCopper mounted on found object wood

"Turtle" antique pruning shears and jello mold on wheels"Turtle"antique pruning shears and jello mold on wheels

Richard Gachot

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