Public Art & Sculpture
Dome, Forged Aluminum, Private Collection, Memphis, TN
The dome is 12 feet in diameter and 6 feet tall with a five-foot tall weathervane. There are 348 forged aluminum elements in the dome, including leaves, scrolls and other decorative elements. The dome was then faux finished to look like bronze.
Grahamwood Dragon, Mild steel and copper, Grahamwood Elementary School, Memphis, TN
The Grahamwood Dragon was commissioned by the Parents Association of Grahamwood Elementary School. It was a collaborative venture between the school and the Museum. Grahamwood students, under the direction of their art teacher, Ann Kling, made drawings of dragons, the school's mascot. Museum metalsmiths used the students' dragon drawings to create a master drawing.
The elementary students used the technique of repousse to create designs on 1,500 copper foil squares, which were used to create the scales of the dragon. This wondrous mascot was installed near the ceiling of the school entry to greet the students and visitors. Not only were they chasing a 45' dragon, Metal Museum staff metalsmiths - Jim Masterson, J.R. Lodico, and Adam Hawk - modeled, hammered, and welded it into shape. The skeleton of the creature was fabricated and welded on site.
Chrysalis Swing, copper, stainless steel and wood, Memphis, Botanic Gardens, Memphis, TN
The Metal Museum developed shop drawings and fabricated this seven-foot chrysalis swing for the botanic gardens. Designed by Bill Price, it is made of raised copper with a stainless steel frame.
Le Bonheur Sculpture by Dolph Smith, Steel and wood, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, Memphis, TN
Designed by Dolph Smith, this wood and mild steel sculpture was designed to commemorate the history of the hospital and its founding by the Le Boneur Club, a women's sewing circle begun in 1923 that made clothes for children at the Leath Orphanage. It is 9 feet 6 inches tall, 7 feet 2 inches wide and 8 3/4 inches deep. The history was laser cut into the metal pages of the book. The metal letters appear to fall into the building, creating the foundation for its past and future.
Confluence, Steel and copper, Cannon Center for the Performing Arts, Memphis, TN
Designed by Dolph Smith, a poem by Kay Lindsey is forged into the ribbon-like metal that represents the river flowing along the mezzanine of the Cannon Center. The work mimics the passage one takes through a performance. The viewer can never view the work in its entirety, just as one cannot see ahead or look behind during a performance. Confluence is 120 feet long and 10 feet tall. It is placed into the wall, so that its depth reaches four feet at certain points along the artwork.
