University Museums
Iowa State University
290 Scheman Bldg.
Ames, Iowa  50011
515.294.3342
Fax: 515.294.3342

       

The Elizabeth and Byron Anderson Sculpture Garden

Located south of Morrill Hall, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa

 

Exhibitions and Events

 

Exquisite Balance: Sculptures by Bill Barrett

September 29, 2008-August 6, 2010

Bill Barrett is a renowned American sculptor. Born in California in 1934 he earned a B.S. and M.S. in Design from the University of Michigan, and later an M.F.A. from the same institution. Since the mid 1960s Barrett has exhibited in the United States, Switzerland, Bulgaria and Japan.

With clarity of form and firmness of structure, Barrett’s sculptures belong to the classical tradition of American modernism. He expresses a sculptural consciousness of the organic, surfacing into elegant gestures, that in their virtually liquid appearance, indicate natural growth. His work is sensual and intuitive rather than ruled by an imposed logic. It floats through space, curving upward and outward, flirting with weight and gravity. Like much sculpture based in European traditions, Barrett’s work carries with it a memory of the archaic.

Philip Palmedo, author of Bill Barrett, The Life of A Sculptor, recognizes the influences expressionism, Asian calligraphy, and, most importantly, surrealism have on his work -“surrealism as access to the locus of memory and feeling, to the place where the human inclination to sign and to move gracefully has its origins.” Barrett’s sculptures of fabricated bronze or steel address the interplay between positive and negative space with grace, elegance and exquisite balance. His sculptures recall fluid effortlessness of calligraphic strokes, and betray a positivism to which many viewers feel drawn. Others have said that Barrett’s sculptures are distinctly American in their directness and lightness. His sophisticated constructions, through a delicate balance of form and content, transcend the starker aesthetics of minimalism with a warmth and humanity.

This exhibition has been organized by University Museums and generously funded by Arthur Klein and University Museums.

 

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