(American, b. 1947)

Dan Corbin’s sculptures are both a traditional study of the figure and a contemporary conceptual investigation. Within his work, Corbin aims to represent the past, present, and the future, illuminating the beauty, complexities, and contradictions of life. His interpretation of the female form recalls classic Greek sculpture, with harmonious proportions and attention to realism. However, Corbin infuses each figure with details that speak to themes of technology, machinery, and scientific advancements. This represents the flux of time: referencing art history while pursuing an innovative exploration of the future. 

He primarily works in bauxite, a clay that is the chief component of commercial aluminum, and he typically adds a variety of industrial materials to his work. Combining materials such as concrete, glass and sheet metal, Corbin gives each sculpture a unique range of texture and form. Some of his sculptures include objects cast within resin, featuring items such as action figures or cosmetic bottles. Corbin considers these objects to be “miniature time capsule inclusions” which symbolizes both the discovery of ancient relics of the past and the technological advancements of the future yet to come. This investigation of technology and time is an innovative approach to sculpture that examines what it means to be human.    

Dan Corbin grew up on a ranch in Yuba City, California, and went on to study art at the University of California in Santa Barbara. He gained early recognition for his work, and in 1979 he won a juried award, selected by George Neubert, the then curator of the Oakland Museum. Corbin went on to earn a MFA from the California State University in Chico and has since been featured in many group and solo shows. He has participated in exhibitions at the Monterey Museum of Art, the Redding Art Museum, and the Crocker Museum. His sculpture can be found in the collection of several institutions, including the Mitchell Museum in Illinois and the Crocker Museum in Sacramento, along with numerous private collections.