"Concrete is a unique art medium because of its versatility,” says three-dimensional artist Ralph Prata. “I like that it can be made into any size, turned into any color, and has this rich texture.” Prata carves blocks of what some people would consider just a building material into works of art. “I don’t work with any particular concept in mind. My art is created in the moment and I enjoy that feeling of being alive and present. I think that energy shows in my work.” The blocks are chiseled away by hand, using a subtractive process. “Instead of building up a form, I’m eliminating the concrete and exposing it.” Born in 1957 in Hudson, New York, Prata’s interest in art began in high school. “I enrolled in a ceramic class and found that I liked carving using clay. Thankfully, I had the freedom to experiment and work with different materials like hard clay and wood.” After graduating from high school and working part-time in construction, he decided to enroll in Dutchess Community College, where he received an associate’s degree in Commercial Arts in 1978. “I knew I wanted to work in a creative field. Commercial arts seemed more practical, but I decided to take another path.” That new direction involved concrete. “I wanted a less expensive and permanent material to carve. I was working in construction and understood the properties of concrete. It seemed like a good fit.” An important component of Prata’s process is his passion for music. While working, the artist listens to a variety of ambient compositions. “Music is an escape that really adds to my art process. If I’m working, you’ll most likely find me with music in the background.” By 1979, Prata left the construction business to focus full time on three-dimensional carvings. “Many people describe my works as ‘tribal looking.’ I enjoy that each person can take away something a little different depending on their own perspective.” He attributes much of his success to the support of his wife Bernadette. “Early on in my career, she worked as a nurse so that I could focus on my art and selling it. Her encouragement and support helped me in my success as an artist.” Today, his success has allowed the couple to switch roles, so that she is able to stay at home. Since 1983, Prata’s work has been displayed at various art shows, including a residency in Art Park in Lewiston, New York, in 1988 to a one-man show in Nagoya, Japan, in 1993. This past March, he participated in La Quinta Art Festival in California. “It’s a great event and I was happy to have won honorable mention in the sculpture category.” The artist’s interest in craft shows began in 1975. “My parents took me to the original American Craft Shows in Rhinebeck, New York. It was a big deal in which people from all over the country would participate. Now, it is a great feeling to be able to participate in these high-quality craft shows.” In 1995 another opportunity presented itself to show his artwork in a restaurant chain called Qdoba Mexican Grill. “I’ve been making custom artwork for Qdoba Mexican Grill, which has more than 600 restaurants in the U.S. and Canada. It has been a great chance to show my art in many different regions.” In 2012, Prata and his wife relocated from New York to Tucson. “We visited about five years ago and Loved the weather. It was an easy decision to move to Arizona after so many cold winters in New York.” In the future, Prata hopes to continue making concrete carvings, along with experimenting with a very different medium. “Lately, I’ve been making glass collages that I embed into my concrete work. The glass represents how our world is becoming more digital and isolated as People spend more time on their phones and computers.” In 2011, he started creating pen-and-ink drawings that he scanned into his computer and turned into digital drawings. Although Prata likes many art forms, he says his original medium of choice will continue to be a large part of his creations. “After all these years, I still love what I do. I’m going to keep working with concrete and hopefully continue to make people happy with my work.” For commissioned work visit: http://www.ralphprata.co