Sunday, January 3, 2010

The Figure


I went to the Nassau County Museum of Art today to see the show of Norman Rockwell paintings, and Saturday Evening Post covers from the 1920's to the 1960's, featuring his artwork. On the way to the museum I passed this sculpture on the lawn, and stopped in my tracks. At first glance it just looks like a human figure, but as you look more closely you see that it is made of layers of flagstone with ragged edges carefully stacked! It is simply stunning in it's simplicity and in it's beauty, and in the feeling it creates when you contemplate it. I didn't stop to photograph it on the way in because I was cold - it was 22 degrees here today. On the way out I did stop, and quickly photographed it, but forgot to look for the plaque that identified the artist. What a dolt I am. I am sorry I didn't get this information for you. I want to go back and photograph it again in the Spring in different light.

5 comments:

:: said...

Don't forget to note how old it is. I think the older it is, the harder to make, for lack of the best tools.

Anonymous said...

How tall is this? Here's an artist who also works with slate. His work is so detailed:
www.stephenkettle.co.uk/

Ken Spencer said...

I think this is a relatively new sculpture. I haven't been to this museum for 2 years, but I would say it was not there the last time I visited. I WILL go back and find who the artist is. Thanks for the Stephen Kettle link - his work is simply astounding! His work is much more detailed than the sculpture I photographed. Thanks so much for the link!

Anonymous said...

Very interesting. Is this on the lawn of the museum or private property. Go do your homework now.
Joan

Anonymous said...

I really like this - the shape of the human form, the material it is made of - would love to see another angle when you go back to get information. bsk