“I call it ‘fantasy in action’,” Womack said. “This is amazing because there’s so much space around (to hang) the pieces. My work is all really large, and when you’re in fairs or galleries the space is very limited. So, this is the first time people will actually be able to see the work hung the way it’s supposed to be seen.”
Before becoming a sculptor, Womack worked for more than 30 years in advertising and marketing, which he said gave him a sense of salesmanship and shaped his understanding of “how we over-excess over brands.” This would serve as a major influence on his work, which is largely inspired by ads and company iconography.
As the title “GIANT” suggests, the exhibit features pieces of American memorabilia that have been “enlarged” significantly. While some of the sculptures have been sold to museums and universities, most of them have been housed in a loft apartment that Womack and his wife own.
“One of the big issues with creating work of this size is shipping it,” Womack said. “We have a really big truck (to do so); it took us a couple of days (to get it ready), and then we had a whole team of people pack it up in one day and ship it out here to Midland.”
In an earlier interview, Museum of the Southwest Director of Operations Gerenda Lea Washburn reached out to Womack to exhibit his sculptures at the museum.
“I think any time that you can help an artist do their first (exhibit), that’s a great position to be in,” said Kristie Jumper, the treasurer of Museum of the Southwest’s board of directors. “The museum is always looking for fun and interesting new exhibits, and we hope that the people of Midland enjoy it as well.”
“We have 25 pieces, and by the end of the show we will have added two more, (the OG Wagon) in July and (Texas Toast) in August,” Womack said. “Hopefully everybody has a great time; (the exhibit has) lots of movement, lots of LED lights, neon (and other) kinetic things, so very fun and interactive.”