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Sleepwalker – by Kiki Smith

2002–2008/ Bronze/ 86 x 54 x 42.5 inches.

Location: Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, Grand Rapids, Michigan.

My day trip: September 21, 2011.

Most of Kiki Smith’s sculpture is figurative and implies a narrative. She creates a variety of work including drawings and prints but is most well-known for her sculpture. Works like Sleepwalker frequently focus on a stylized female figure engaged in slow-moving activity that seems to express a dream-like or visionary image. Although the dark, rich patina is not typical for the artist, it encourages the nocturnal theme of this sculpture.

Smith is the daughter of American sculptor Tony Smith, who helped influence her career by having her assist in making cardboard models for his geometric sculptures. His work is also included in the permanent collection.

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For J.W. – by Tony Smith

1969. Bronze, 33 x 60 x 46 inches.

Smith’s work is considered part of Minimalism, a movement in art history where the focus is on shapes, forms and volumes. During his time at the University of Hawaii, Smith created a series of nine sculptures, which he later named after a few of his teaching colleagues. This sculpture is named after John Wisnosky, a student at the University.

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