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As we began to focus on themes for this exhibition, we sought out works
representative of the transformations that have shaped the course of sculpture
across this century. The advent of Modernism literally knocked sculpture off
its pedestal as succeeding generations of artists explored new ways of thinking
about working in space. Two Beaux-Arts figures introduce our presentation:
gracefully elevated on finely molded bases, they are representative of the
Renaissance revival that characterized American art at the turn of the century.
In contrast, today's artists freely address the relationship between figure and
ground, frequently banishing any form of visible support to test the limits of
sculptural composition.
The ten artists featured here demonstrate a remarkable vitality and
diversity of expression, from Adolph Weinman's romantic and classicizing
statues of 1915 to Joseph Havel's ebulliently inventive assemblage of 1993.
Georgia O'Keefe and Jesus Bautista Moroles have captured a visionary spirit in
their abstractions, while William Tucker addresses the beauty of pure geometry
in his work. An iconoclastic intelligence animates the compositions of Scott
Burton, Joel Shapiro, and Robert Therrien, as they challenge and celebrate the
reductive aesthetics of Minimalism. Deborah Butterfield's image of a graceful
horse has a startling naturalism, while Martin Puryear's Decoy wittily
evokes an artificial duck with remarkable economy.
Despite their divergent explorations of medium and composition, these
artists are united in their tactile love of materials and their exuberant
command of form. Assembling these works in the gracious precinct of the
Jacqueline Kennedy Garden creates a dynamic visual dialogue; they complement
and redefine the garden site. These are works that invite the viewer to pause,
to walk around, and in one case, even to sit down.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Hillary Rodham Clinton
and J. Carter Brown for their visionary support of this project. The curator,
Alison de Lima Greene of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, has continued her
tradition of organizing superb exhibitions, setting the highest standard of
uncompromising excellence. A deep thank you to our many colleagues who
generously shared their collections, expertise, and connoisseurship, and to the
talented members of the White House staff for their spirit of cooperation. With
them, we are grateful for the support of the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor
Foundation; such enlightened patronage ensures the future of the arts in this
nation.
Peter C. Marzio, Director
Museum of Fine Arts,
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