James Tyler sculptures to be dedicated at Purdue

August 27, 2013  


James Tyler Brickhead

James Tyler installs "Brickhead Conversations" in July 2013 at Purdue University. The sculptures will be dedicated on Sept. 4. They were funded by the Florence H. Lonsford Endowment, which is restricted to purchasing artwork. The two eight-foot-tall sculptures were constructed from architectural red clay bricks that have a natural ceramic finish and an average thickness of three inches. They were assembled using stainless steel pins. The Purdue sculptures also feature an audio component, and as people pass by, sounds of nature will play such as wind and flowing water. (Purdue University photo/Mark Simons)
Download Photo

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — "Brickhead Conversations," the newly installed James Tyler sculptures at Purdue University, will be dedicated on Sept. 4.

The event, which is free and open to the public, is noon to 1 p.m. outside on the South Campus Plaza at Yue-Kong Pao Hall between Sheetz and Marsteller streets. The program will feature remarks by Tyler, the artist who is known for his Brickhead series, and Bryan Pijaniowski, a professor of forestry and natural resources, who contributed the sound arrangement for the sculptures. Light refreshments will be provided.

This artwork is funded by the Florence H. Lonsford Endowment, which is restricted to purchasing artwork.

The two eight-foot tall sculptures were installed by Tyler in July. The sculptures were constructed from architectural red clay bricks that have a natural ceramic finish and an average thickness of three inches. They were assembled using stainless steel pins. The Purdue sculptures also feature an audio component, and as people pass by, sounds of nature will play such as wind and flowing water.

Tyler's work has been exhibited across the United States and in 2006 he was appointed the first executive director of the GAGA Arts Center. He received his master of fine arts degree from Hampshire College, Massachusetts, in 1975. Previously, he studied at Herron School of Art in Indianapolis.

Pao Hall, which opened in 2005, is home to the Patti and Rusty Rueff School of Visual and Performing Arts. The South Campus Plaza, which features seating for study and outdoor classes, was dedicated in April 2009. Another sculpture installation on the plaza area includes a bronze horse by Deborah Butterfield. The temporary natural exhibit "Sidewinder" by Patrick Dougherty was there from 2011-2013.

Writer: Amy Patterson Neubert, 765-494-9723, apatterson@purdue.edu

Source: Harry Bulow, 765-494-3054, hbulow@purdue.edu 

Related website:

College of Liberal Arts

Related news release:

James Tyler sculptures to be installed at Purdue

Faculty-Staff News

More News

Purdue University, 610 Purdue Mall, West Lafayette, IN 47907, (765) 494-4600

© 2014-18 Purdue University | An equal access/equal opportunity university | Integrity Statement | Copyright Complaints | Brand Toolkit | Maintained by Marketing and Media

Trouble with this page? Disability-related accessibility issue? Please contact us at online@purdue.edu so we can help.