About Don

ARTIST’S STATEMENT

As a sculptor, I work primarily in stone. I have always been fascinated with the natural world, its beauty and complexity. With my sculpture, I endeavor to express this awareness in an abstract, but often identifiable form. The shape, contour and texture of my sculpture usually suggest, and may inspire, an emotional awareness and response by the viewer. I endeavor to develop a dynamic expression of the piece that implies a life force, real or imagined. Recently I have been exploring and expanding my work to include wood sculptures and assemblages.

ARTISTIC BACKGROUND

Artistic Training:
Art Students League, New York — Drawing, 1993 -.1994

Corcoran Institute of Art, Washington, DC — Sculpture, 1996 –1997

Marble Carving Studio, Pietrasanta, Italy — Summer 1998,

Studied with Pasquale Martini

Torpedo Factory Art Center, Alexandria, VA – Sculpture classes 1998 – 2000

Studied with Michael Curtis

Exhibitions:
Corcoran Institute of Art, Washington, DC (Student show) 1997

Open Studio, New York, NY (Smokestack Studio – Sculptor’s cooperative) 2006

Be Gallery, High Falls, NY (Joint exhibition) 2006

Open Studios, Long Island City Artists — 2009, 2011

Greenwich Village Temple Art Show (Joint exhibition) 2009

Gallery Brooklyn, curated show, part of Curate NYC 2013 — Oct. to Nov. 2013

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

Education:
University of Michigan, BS and MS Mechanical Engineering

Engineering Experience:
Donald Wille trained as a nuclear engineer as part of Admiral Rickover’s staff for the design and development of nuclear power for naval submarines and surface ships. He has worked extensively in the development and implementation of commercial nuclear power. He also was a member of the US Atomic Energy Commission and the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board in Washington, DC. Retired status, but still consults in the engineering field. His primary work now is as a sculptor.