[MILWAUKEE, WI, July 27, 2020—] Overcoming significant logistical challenges and delays brought on by the global pandemic, Sculpture Milwaukee today announces the artists and artworks to be featured in their 2020 exhibition. The free, outdoor, urban art experience, presented by Northwestern Mutual, through its foundation, and 2020 exhibition sponsor Irgens, brings relevant, thought-provoking, and unexpected artworks to Wisconsin Avenue, and for the first time, a partnership with Black Box Fund extends the exhibition into the Historic Third Ward. Several sculptures are already on view*, and more will be installed gradually over the coming weeks.
“Art helps us navigate the changing world around us; COVID-19 and the Black Lives Matter movement have transformed our daily lives; public art offers new perspectives, diverse points of view, and opportunities to experience our city in new ways. Sculpture Milwaukee is a thought provoking, family-friendly cultural destination that is free for all to enjoy,” remarked remarked board chair, Wayne Morgan.
This year’s artists and artworks include:
- – Lawrence Weiner‘s poetically-charged text AT THE SAME MOMENT, 2000*
- – Julian Opie’s double-sided LED monolith Natalie Walking, 2016
- – Maggie Sasso’s Too Much Sea for Amateurs; Marooned, 2016, a model of Milwaukee’s breakwater lighthouse
- – Tony Tasset’s colorful yet menacing Blob Monster, 2009*
- – Nari Ward’s Apollo/Poll, 2017 a replica of the famous Apollo Theatre’s sign enmeshed in urgent political commentary
- – Thomas Price’s Within the Folds (Dialogue I), 2020 a nine-foot bronze Black man in contemporary clothing (The piece makes its international debut in Milwaukee.)
- – Alex Katz’s cut-out sculpture Park Avenue Departure, 2019*
- – Jim Dine’s quasi-autobiographical Jim’s Head with Branches, 2019*
- – Anna Fasshauer’s vivid blue Tallulah Rapsody, 2019*
- – Paul Druecke’s, Shoreline Repast, 2017, which resembles a historical marker*
- – Paula Crown’s, Jokester, 2018, a larger-than-life reproduction of a disposable red cup
- – Amy Yoe’s Mobile Animation Unit, 2019/20 a colorful experimental video
- – Sky Hopinka’s mesmerizing video, I’ll remember you as you were, not as what you will become, 2016
- – Leslie Hewitt’s, Forty-two, 2010 which uses archival images from two (now closed) bookstores- “The National Memorial African Bookstore” and Milwaukee’s, “Reader’s Choice,” to create unexpected poetry.
- – Carlos Rolón’s, bright florals will continue to brighten the Chase Bank lobby with Gild the Lily, (Caribbean Hybrid I, II, III), 2019*
- – Roxy Paine’s eerily beautiful steel tree remains on view, Cleft; from the series Dendroids, 2018*
- – Beverly Pepper’s Cor-Ten steel masterpiece from the 2019 exhibition carries over, Curvae in Curvae, 2013-18*
- – Richard Woods’ Holiday Home (Milwaukee), 2019, has been repainted in a soft new color pallet for 2020*
“These extraordinary artworks offer something for everyone- and we mean everyone! Our exhibition is fun for families, a great date-night for couples, and it’s perfect for art-aficionados and novices alike. You can even bring your dog!”, added Meg Strobel, Director of Marketing and Community Engagement for Sculpture Milwaukee. “With nineteen works spread out over a mile and a half, social distancing is built into our model. We are confident that our exhibition can be a safe and inspiring destination for all.”
Visitors must follow all public health recommendations and directives issued by the City of Milwaukee. Sculpture Milwaukee particularly encourages visitors to wear masks, practice safe social distancing, and while the organization won’t be offering group tours (for now), guests can access free audio tours at www.sculpturemilwaukee.com.
“We invite everyone to venture downtown, get some fresh air, take a stroll, and explore these extraordinary world class artworks!”, concluded Morgan.
About Sculpture Milwaukee
Sculpture Milwaukee is an annual outdoor exhibition of public sculpture in downtown Milwaukee that serves as a catalyst for community engagement, economic development, and creative placemaking. The exhibit is a free, open-air art gallery, which captivates residents, tourists, downtown employees, students, and art lovers alike. Supported by Northwestern Mutual, The Black Box Fund, Irgens, and dozens of private grants, in-kind donations, and sponsorships. All of the artworks are available for purchase. For more information, visit www.sculpturemilwaukee.com
