36 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY DECEMBER 25-31, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com ART The woods, mountains and canyons of Big Sur hide a lot of treasures. Artist Emile Norman’s body of work was and still is one of these rarely seen finds buried in Big Sur, where his house—full of his work—remains. Despite recognition and demand for his sculptures and other art in the 1940s, Norman is largely and undeservedly forgotten these days; for the most part his pieces have not been shown publicly. Monterey History and Art at Stanton Center provides a rare opportunity. Norman’s animal sculptures, his mosaics and his nature poems, are gathered now in a small but representative exhibition of his masterpieces. The first piece to attract the eye is “Drake,” a sculpture made of a clay mold and meticulously covered with tiny wooden tiles, Norman’s specialty. The effect of this 1957 piece and others, just 1 to 2 feet tall, is mesmerizing. “Drake” is accompanied by other exquisite animals: a polar bear, a lion, a whale—all faithful to the subject matter, yet bold and original. The execution shocks with loving precision and endless attention to detail. Norman was “the master of all things resin,” we learn from a 2006 PBS documentary that museum visitors can watch while touring. He made his own glue, experimented with exotic woods, glass, stone, plastic and different types of fabric and fibers. “I love to draw, but I love to paint— but now the sculpture is my most favored part, because it’s dimensional,” he said in an interview for the documentary. “Every time I do a work of art, I learn something technically and artistically, and I wondered why I was so damn dumb.” The scope of Norman’s art and artistic curiosity is enormous. In addition to a multi-panel wall endomosaic (his most famous is in the lobby of the Masonic Memorial Temple atop San Francisco’s Nob Hill), the exhibit shows a sample of the Christmas cards he made, as well as a double-headed golden bird, the only piece in precious metal he ever shaped. A self-proclaimed night owl, Norman worked non-stop every day in his Big Sur studio, often listening to Bach. He died in 2009, in Monterey, at age 91. He was a contributing artist and a member of the Carmel Art Association. Emile Norman’s work will be on display at the Monterey History and Art at Stanton Center through the first half of 2026. 5 Custom House Plaza, Monterey. (831) 649-9161, montereyhistory.org. DANIEL DREIFUSS Sight Unseen A selection of Emile Norman’s masterpieces are now on display at the Stanton Center. By Agata Popęda Emile Norman (1918-2009) made his first sculpture when he was 12. He simply picked up a rock because he saw a face in it and, using his father’s tool, brought it to the surface. Local Farm Fresh Produce. Prepared Food To-Go. Home Delivery Available. 242 Forest Avenue, Pacific Grove ✦ 831-375-9581 Season’s Greetings from Our Family to Yours! Order your Christmas prime rib and roasts or New Year’s steaks and filet mignon today! We have everything you need for your holiday menu. BEST NEIGHBORHOOD MARKET 11x BEST BUTCHER SHOP ’09– ’20 ’25 FRESH. LOCAL. TASTY. Fisherman’s Wharf FRESHEST SEAFOOD with PANORAMIC VIEWS Open Daily at 11:30am • At the end of Fisherman’s Wharf #1 www.rockfishmonterey.com • 831.324.4375 End of the Year Sale! 50% OFF EVERYTHING, including jewelry & collectables. Thank you to our donors! ’25 To date, we have given $9,420,134 in grants, scholarships and donations. yellowbrickroadbenefitshop.org 831-624-8480 Main Store & Bookstore 26388 Carmel Rancho Lane, Carmel Furniture & Art Shop 26344 Carmel Rancho Lane, Carmel Best Vintage Clothing Monday, Dec. 29 - Wednesday, Dec. 31 Main store reopens Saturday, January 3rd ’23 ’22 ’21 ’24
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