Sculptures showcased in the gardens

The concentric aluminum bands of Frank Holder’s sculpture “Mandela of the Earth and Sky,” stand amid the ferns and wildflowers of the North Carolina Botanical Garden, like a machined version of the annual rings of a tree.

This sculpture is a part of the 21st annual “Sculpture in the Garden” exhibit, which displays art within the plant collections of the botanical garden, rather than on the sterile walls of a gallery.

“I would describe it as a very unique group of three dimensional art pieces that are made specifically to be viewed outdoors,” said Laura Cotterman, publications and publicity coordinator for the Botanical Garden.

The changing seasons introduce another dynamic to the viewing experience. The exhibit, which opened Sept. 12, runs through Nov. 15.

“The exhibit is designed to be viewed over a long period of time,” Cotterman said. “The gardens change over the course of the exhibit from late-summer to early fall.”

The juried exhibition features 40 pieces by 24 artists in various media, including clay, steel and stone.

This year pieces are made for the theme “celebrating life forces—earth, air, fire, water, spirit.”

Many of the works, such as Tinka Jordy’s “Lady in Yellow,” adopt the colors and textures of their surroundings. Other pieces are more abstract, but retain natural shapes and patterns in their compositions.

The pieces also ranged in scale. Some, such as Madelyn Smoak’s “Metamorphosis de Medici” are small enough to be suspended with a few strands of wire.

Other works are massive and dominated their surroundings. Reuvan Sadeh’s water-driven kinetic sculpture “Cycles of Life” towers over the plants around it.

“It’s one of our biggest draws,” said Grant Parkins, an educator at the botanical gardens. “People were very disappointed in 2008 when we didn’t have it.”

“Sculpture in the Garden” was not held last year due to the construction of new facilities.

To be eligible for the exhibit, artists must be at least 18 years old and have a connection to North Carolina.

The sculptures must not have been previously exhibited and need to be able to withstand exposure to the elements.

Garden officials said this is a good way to introduce people to the botanical gardens.

“It brings new people to the garden and lets people enjoy art and the garden in a different way,” Parkins said.

Artist Jeff Hackney won Best of Show in 2007 with his oversized swing sculpture “Remember.”

“The inspiration for ‘Remember’ came from the idea that everyone has a happy memory of being on a swing,” Hackney said in an e-mail.

He said that he had heard about the competition before and thought it was a perfect place to display.

An awards reception will be held for the current sculptures from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 4 on the patio behind the Totten Center.


Contact the Arts Editor at artsdesk@unc.edu.