Sculpture in Bronze: Highlights From The Permanent Collection

On View January 21st

Customs House, Second Floor

This exhibition spotlights some of the most significant sculptures in the Museum’s collection, focusing on the medium of bronze. Since ancient times, bronze has been melted and poured into molds to make durable objects including fine art. Featured works range from Greco-Roman and Indian sacred statuary, to 20th century European and American works, including pieces by Erie native John Silk Deckard (whose Eternal Vigilance keeps watch on the front steps of the Customs House). The core of this collection is the James D. Baldwin bequest. Baldwin served as president of the Erie Art Center (a prior name of the Erie Art Museum) from 1965-1966 and was a world traveler and art collector.

These works highlight how sculpture functions in a variety of ways. Some channel a connection to the divine, representing religious stories and mythologies with figures of deities. Others are commemorative portraits of individuals or expressionist figures that convey human experiences.  Abstract works, like those by Erie artist Fred Livingston, and Oded Halahmy, who resides in both Israel and the US, play with shape, texture, volume, and movement. The exhibition spans a wide range of different cultures and time periods. As a result, the viewer can see how different artists used the material strength of bronze to tell stories with sensitivity and resilience.