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View more works by Jim Rennert
The Art of the Deal :Jim Rennert Cleverly Sculpts the Business World
Bronze artist Jim Rennert’s ‘Suits’ series is a grand slam, a long ball hit of business men captured in bronze. Indeed, his unique series, depicting the triumphs and travails of the business world is clever, witty and, at times, down right funny. Moreover, by using humor and sports metaphors, Rennert is able to depict the success, joy and hard work experienced in the corporate arena.
Rennert’s art celebrates the ‘Suits’ of the executives who create magic and excel in the cubicles, the corner offices, the front office or out in the field – corporate America’s line of scrimmage. “I am very sympathetic to the business man who is working through day to day problems and struggling to make a living in the society we live in,” Rennert says. “The idea of going out and taking on these tremendous odds, making it and moving forward in spite of everything, and then succeeding is very intriguing to me.”
His piece, ‘Business as Usual,’ depicting two opposing teams of evenly matched suits caught in a tug-of-war, typifies the artist’s approach. “My work is representational and figurative, and often explores a narrative,” Rennert explains. Action, tension and drama are contained in all of his work. In this work, viewers might be prompted to root for one side over the other. The title adds to the narrative by providing a perceptive, as well as witty, insight. Rennert’s sculpture seems to tell more than one story. His heroes, businessmen willing to give their all, are figures with whom many can identify. “Business people work in a very competitive environment,” Rennert explains. “Most people are trying to do a good job so they can provide for themselves and their families.”
‘Team Work’ is another sculpture with rich narrative possibilities. No business can operate without cooperation, but reaching the agreed upon goal can be tough to achieve without strenuous efforts from all involved. This piece is about mentoring, helping each other. One figure is using all of his energy necessary to pull his teammate to the top, where they can work together to achieve mutual as well as individual goals, both business and personal. “Business people are trying to work together in a very aggressive environment. There is integrity in that,” Rennert says. “That’s what I am trying to depict: the people that are out there trying to make something happen despite the risks and challenges.”
A number of Rennert’s sculptures use risk as a theme. ‘Leverage,’ one of his newest pieces, compares an entrepreneur to a pole vaulter. “Everyone wants leverage. That’s what allows them to close the deal,” Rennert explains. “This fellow is about to be flung over the top.” Given Rennert’s belief in the strength of a committed and courageous individual, the viewer can assume the man will land on his feet.
Risk taking is something Rennert understands. In looking back at the artist’s life, the components of his success – business background, work ethic, humor and passion to create - are evident. But, even more important, the artist has always been willing to take a chance, to make that leap of faith.
Raised in Las Vegas, Rennert moved to Salt Lake City where he attended junior high and high school. He received a wrestling scholarship to Brigham Young University, where he studied general education and business. While attending BYU, he took an aptitude test that turned out to be fortuitous. “The results indicated I should be president of a company or an artist,” Rennert recalls. (He ended up becoming both.) After he received the results of the test, Rennert consulted with the art department, but he was advised that he would have to remain in school much longer to earn a BFA.
Plus, Rennert met a girl. “I am a whirlwind kind of a guy. Three days after I met her I asked her to marry me. Two and a half months later we were married,” he says. “Six kids and one dog later, we’re still married.” With a family to support, Rennert put on a suit and set out to make a living.
His art strikes a familiar chord with business people because of his extensive professional experience. In his 15 year career, Rennert has worked in all facets of business, from oil fields to the front office, as well as in sales. “I wouldn’t say I could sell ice to an Eskimo,” Rennert says. But he did sell a golf ball company to a firm that manufactures tennis equipment. At that point in his career, Rennert had become an entrepreneur.
One day, somewhat bored, he purchased some modeling clay. “I went home and tried to do a bust of one of my sons,” Rennert recalls. “The following day I did another bust of a second child.” Overnight, he realized he could sculpt. Since that discovery in 1990, he has been steadily moving forward. He learned every aspect of the lost wax bronze casting process from a nearby foundry. Eventually, Rennert began casting in a studio he built in his home. “Foundries are not known to be real clean places, but my wife let me have the garage,” he says. “She turned a blind eye to what I was doing. So did my neighbors when I kicked on the furnace to melt the bronze. It sounded like a jet engine.” He became a full time artist in 1994.
Rennert is never sure when or where his muse will strike, but his mind has to be clear for ideas to appear. Still an athlete, he often finds that playing golf accomplishes that. He also works at night when the house is quiet. “I don’t use live models. I generally don’t sketch a piece beforehand,” he explains. “It’s much easier for me to work in the clay and give myself an idea of the action.” Sometimes, the clever titles come to him first.
In the beginning, Rennert sculpted skiers and winter pieces. One day, a friend requested a sculpture for the lobby of a building. “I had always visualized business as a wrestling match, fight for the sale, fight to get paid,” Rennert says. “I created two guys wrestling and called it: ‘The deal is a deal.’ My friend loved it.” Countless other collectors have loved the series as well; ‘Suits’ has been wildly successful since its inception. Rennert still takes commissions, and a significant number of his works are in public collections. In addition, he has been invited to exhibit in a number of prestigious festivals.
Jim has completed commissions for the Utah Arts Council, Granite Education Foundation, Jordan School District, Terra Industries, and numerous other corporate and private clients. His work has been seen in many arts festivals and juried exhibitions including the 2005 Spring Salon at the Springville Art Museum, and Contemporary Realism 2005 in New York City. Most recently, "Hanging Ten" has been accepted for The Allied Artist of America 92nd Annual Exhibition 2005, to be held at the National Arts Club in New York City. This exhibition goes from November 18th - December 6th. Sculptural Pursuit Magazine has chosen Jim’s bronze sculpture as the second place winner in the Sculptural Pursuit's Second Annual Art/Literary Competition. A feature article presenting the work wasin the January 2006 issue.
Rennert’s move from business to art reflects the confidence and business philosophy of the entrepreneur he once was. He took a risk by reaching for greater heights and greater rewards. From his present vantage point, Rennert is grateful that he was willing to take a chance and
become the artist he always wanted to be. “It’s so rewarding to create something that hasn’t been done before. I hope I can continue sculpting until I am 100,” he says.
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