Meet Gerald M (jerry) Tuckman

We were lucky to catch up with Gerald M (jerry) Tuckman recently and have shared our conversation below.

Gerald M (Jerry), thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

I am a retired 78-year man and emerging artist. I have written poetry for approximately 70’years but have created steel sculpture only in the last four years. I have put the two together, and also written poetry to complement fine art and one symphony in what I call ArtsPairing.

My work in sculpture did not come easy. For five years after retiring I looked for an artist to whom I could apprentice myself, helping in his or her work while learning how it was done. I struck out more times than I care to enumerate primarily because most artists prefer to work alone.

I finally approached a sculptor and director of a non/profit sculpture group if she knew anyone I could help and work with. She named one possibility. I took him to breakfast, we clicked and we’ve been working together since on sculptures from found steel objects. Four of my pieces have been featured at the Bennington (VT) Museum’s Summer Outdoor Sculpture Show for the last four years.

Persistence and Resilience really do pay off … for anything .., at any age.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I create steel sculpture from found objects and write poetry, about others’ and my poetry, fine art and music (one symphony, written by a 93- year old friend). I enjoy focusing fully on the creative project and, lately, collaborating with artists whose skills and talents are different from mine. Two such collaborations are slated for Summer 2025 exhibition, including one at the Bennington Museum.

One of my most recent sculptures incorporates the gold cast iron insides of a ruined uptight piano.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Most impactful in my four-year journey to find a wonderful artist/teacher were patience, perspicacity resilience, positivity and good cheer. The first three got me to the right person and art. The latter to successfully close the deal once I had identified the right place.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

For the last few projects I have collaborated with other artists who have great talent and skills different from mine.

I am looking for fellow artists (painters)and sculptors for joint projects/collaboration. I am looking for a literary broker or publisher to publish my book on ArtsPairing, containing more than 40 of my and others’ sculptures and my accompanying poems. Working primarily in southern Berkshire County and Boston, MA If interested in my work or collaboration, please call email me at Jerry 617-699-9218.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @jerrytuckmanart.com