Muskegon, Museum of Art

Caroline Lee Sculpture Exhibition Opens September 6

Songs in Steel and Other Dreams: The Sculpture of Caroline Lee

September 6 through November 4, 2012 | Muskegon Museum of Art L.C. and Margaret Walker Gallery B

Continuing its 100th Year celebration, the Muskegon Museum of Art has organized an exhibition of works by sculptor Caroline Lee, a Chicago native who has worked in Paris since 1958 and maintains strong ties with West Michigan. Songs in Steel and Other Dreams features 24 sculptures dating from 1958 to the present, as well as a selection of 20 sketches and technical drawings to further illuminate Lee’s working methods. The exhibition includes an important machined aluminum sculpture, Projectile, gifted by the artist and now part of the Museum’s Centennial Collection. The exhibition opens with a public reception and a talk by the artist on Thursday, September 6. The exhibition will run through November 4, 2012.

Lee’s sculptures are noted for their dynamic movement, rising and arching postures, and aggressive and inquisitive stances—origins that can be found in the artist’s memories of summers spent along the shores of Lake Michigan, near Holland, as a child. “Even though I am a wanderer from Paris,” Lee says, “my heart returns to Michigan to be re-nourished, to survive, to persevere.” Lee’s internal vision is the basis for her works in steel, aluminum, or bronze, orchestrated in the machine-tooled, casting, or welding technique that suits her subjects to greatest effect.

Born in 1932, Caroline Lee graduated from the University of Chicago in 1953 with a degree in literature and music. She received a degree in painting and drawing from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 1957. Two Fulbright grants took her to Paris in 1958 and 1959. Since that time, Lee has spent her entire career in France. Since the 1960s, she has received commissions for numerous public sculptures and has participated in exhibitions internationally.

A fully illustrated catalogue in English and French accompanies the exhibition and includes essays by Lydia Harambourg and Dominique Dalemont, both writers and art critics.

SPX Corporation, 100th Year Centennial Partner of the Muskegon Museum of Art, is the exclusive underwriter of Songs in Steel. Media sponsors are Blue Lake Public Radio and MLive/Muskegon Chronicle. Additional support is provided by the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs. The exhibition catalogue is made possible through gifts from the artist’s family.

RELATED PROGRAMS

Opening Reception and Program
Thursday, September 6
5:30 pm Reception
7:00 pm Program: Talk by Caroline Lee
Enjoy light refreshments; then get acquainted with the artist as she discusses her work and life. Free and open to the public.

Flying Machines Super Saturday
Free Family Fun Day
October 13, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
The sculptures of Caroline Lee explore movement and space; take a tour and decide which one might be the best in flight. And there’s more! Watch Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and make your own flying machine.

Brown Bag Films
Learn about three renowned sculptors. Film admission is free.
Thursday, October 11, 12:15 pm
The Mystery of Henry Moore
Thursday, October 25, 12:15 pm
Noguchi
Thursday, November 8, 12:15 pm
David Smith

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PRESS IMAGES

Sculptures by Caroline Lee, American, born 1932
Photographs by Frederic Reinecke

Caroline Lee, Projectile
Machined aluminum, 1971
Gift of the Artist in honor of the 100th Anniversary of the Muskegon Museum of Art
2011.5
Photograph by Frederic Reinecke

Caroline Lee, The Shoulder (L’Épaule), 2006-7
Stainless steel
16.50” x 40.00” x 23.50”
Collection of the Artist
Photograph by Frederic Reinecke

Caroline Lee, Maquette for “Monument to the Resistance” (Monument á la Resistance), 1981
Cast aluminum on black polyester base
3'6" x 28" x 18"
Collection of the artist
Photograph by Frederic Reinecke

Caroline Lee, Flower of Evil (La Fleur du Mal), 1963
Welded, formed steel tubes
object: 36.00” x 34.00” x 15.00”
base: 16.00” x 20.00” x 16.00”
Collection of Evelyn M. Lee
Photograph by Frederic Reinecke

MEDIA CONTACT: Marguerite Gawron, tel. 231.720.2574, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Muskegon Museum of Art office secretary: 231.720.2571

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 14, 2012