Bobbi Gibb: Contemporary Artist, Renaissance Woman
Bobbi Gibb, current photo.
Her passion may be running yet contemporary artist and sculptor Bobbi Gibb has never run from anything in her life. In fact, her existence is a series of running toward, well, everything, as fast as humanly possible. She began running at age four “and never stopped.” Running wild through the woods as a child to explore nature; running to help spark the women’s movement in 1966 by crashing the Boston Marathon disguised as a man and finishing it (“unofficially” winning it three times before women were permitted to race); running toward a career in medicine and neuroscience research; running to paint, sculpt and study the human body and its limitless capabilities; and running toward a law degree to provide for her son. Bobbi Gibb never ceases running forward and that, one can argue, is how Gibb pursues her art. Hers is a life spent in pursuit of itself, its fullest potential. For Gibb, this drive has manifested itself in an extraordinary academic career in law and medicine; in sculpture, paintings and books; and in that brazen, historic 1966 Boston Marathon run which celebrates its 50th anniversary this spring. All elements of Gibb’s existence deliver the same message: Do. Reach. Live.
I fear I’m oversimplifying and yet therein lies the paradox. Which words best describe this woman without sounding cliché? Gibb spends her life tackling the most complex thoughts in the most pure and simple way. “It always struck me,” she says, ‘”What is life?’” When she heard “no” with her ears (“You’re too pretty to go to med school. You’ll upset the boys in the lab.” “Women aren’t strong enough to run a marathon.”), Gibb heard “do it anyway” with her heart and mind.
Without any preconceived notions of intellectual or physical limitation, Bobbi Gibb entered this life hell bent on a mission. And yet to discuss one aspect of her life is almost to diminish another—which is unintentional. Each aspect is worthy of analysis and discourse; together they comprise a daunting resume. And yet Gibb is the least daunting of women. “I’m just following my inner guide,” she states. “My map of how to unfold in this incredible universe.”
At the core of Gibb is her art and to view her art is to view her life. “Science is the way of learning,” she told me recently, “…art is the way of expression. I never stopped running, drawing and painting…pursuing this inner ‘actualization’.” Born during World War II, Gibb, now 73, has achieved a tremendous feat: she seems to age only chronologically.
Bobbi Gibb in 1966. Courtesy of Yarrow Kraner.
Physically, she is a marvel, running every day. Mentally, she is as focused as ever. Intellectually, she remains insatiable. She attended the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, through Tufts University’s College of Special Studies. She earned her B.S. degree from the University of California in 1969, majoring in philosophy, minoring in mathematics and fulfilling the pre-med requirements. She then worked with Professor Jerome Lettvin at MIT on epistemology and color vision while studying at New England Law, graduating in 1978 and joining the Massachusetts Bar in ’79. Today she’s an associate of Dr. Robert H. Brown at the Angel Fund in affiliation with the Cecil B. Day Neuromuscular Laboratory at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center, obsessed by the fight to cure ALS which claimed the life of a friend. Spiritually, artistically, she is restless. Restless to create. “There is no difference between art and spirituality,” she states, as evidenced by her long ribbons of intense, vibrant murals; projections of her thought process, her streaming consciousness, translated into color and form. “I dream of them, I see them every time I close my eyes and can’t wait to put them on paper.” Many of Gibb’s paintings incorporate her study of nature and neuroscience—seemingly in dialogue with her subconscious as if by painting atoms and molecules, her drawings might reveal the medical breakthrough she and her research partners seek. Gibb’s sculptures exude a fierce energy and strength—ballerina figures in a joyous, Biellmann arabesque; a female runner, pushing forward, chin up, fists clenched, hair flying backwards; a male runner, arms outstretched in gratitude (or is it finish line relief?). Gibb’s understanding of anatomy infuses realism into each piece, each muscle and vein stretched and defined with accuracy. In her busts of Einstein and Reagan she captures a wry wisdom and a twinkling eye; in RFK, a haunting sadness; in Mother Teresa, peace.
Bobbi Gibb, female runner sculpture from her Athletes and Artists collection, bronze, 12″. Photo: David Stotzer, Cape Ann Photography.
Gibb’s Boston Marathon run is as powerful a metaphor as it is a physical accomplishment. As she writes in her book, Wind in the Fire, recounting the moment she first witnessed the race, she knew “that’s what I’m supposed to do. An inner decision was made and I followed.” She lives life following one inner directive after another. And while Gibb’s average day may be different than yours or mine, her to-do list more extreme, Gibb’s demeanor is neither daunting nor intimidating. She’s empowering. She simply wants to express herself, and to improve the lives of others. Sitting amongst her sculptures (her “friends,”) her laptop and a stack of worn medical textbooks—sipping tea with her recently in her Rockport, MA, home and studio—she’s close to tears by that simple thought. Eyes piercing, her long blonde hair a forgotten tangle, her voice is soft and clear. Through this life approach, whatever we do or make is art. Whether it’s expressed via science, paint or clay.
Bobbi Gibb is the most selfless woman I’ve met and the most self aware. It is inspiring to witness her journey. I’ve read words by Steinem, Angelou and Clinton. I “Lean In.” But I actually know Bobbi Gibb. And I am inspired to do more and to follow her lead to “just keep becoming yourself.”
Bobbi Gibb, abstract painting. Courtesy of the artist. Photo: David Stotzer, Cape Ann Photography.
For more information on Bobbi Gibb’s art, career and the 50th Anniversary Celebration of her Boston Marathon run, visit bobbigibbart.net.
Rita A. Fucillo is associate publisher of Art New England.