Gary Freeman (sculptor)
Encyclopedia
Gary Freeman is an American
sculptor from Indianapolis
, Indiana
. He is Professor Emeritus of Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis
(IUPUI) and served as head of the Herron School of Art
Sculpture Department for 33 years, from 1968 until his retirement in 2001.
Freeman was born in Wellington, Kansas
. He received his BFA in 1961 from the Kansas City Art Institute
. He received his MFA in 1963 from Tulane University
. Between 1975 and 1990 Freeman received seven public and private art commissions, including Indianapolis companies such as Indiana Energy Inc., Indianapolis Heliport Corporation, Indianapolis Art Center
and Borns Management Company. He also received seven grants, including one to study Stainless Steel Production Methods in Mexico
and throughout Europe
. His work is in 23 public and private collections, including the Indianapolis Museum of Art
, New Orleans Museum of Art
, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts
, and the Newcomb Art School, Tulane University.
For over three decades Freeman proved to be a prolific artist in the Midwest and beyond. Indianapolis Star journalist Marcus B. Chandler declared, "Freeman has come as close as any artist living in Indianapolis to achieving a national reputation in contemporary fine arts."
. In 1968 he was hired as professor and chair of the Sculpture Department at the Herron School of Art
at Indiana University-Purdue University of Indianapolis (IUPUI) due to his expertise in metal casting. In addition to heading the Sculpture Department, Freeman was also tasked with creating a bronze foundry for students. Freeman hoped that the foundry would allow students a more hands-on experience with metal sculpture, allowing them to experiment with various methods and materials that they might not otherwise have access to. His vision was for students to be able to utilize a casting system in order to control the production of metal sculpture through the entire process. Freeman believed, "A sculptor’s success with bronze pieces can depend upon availability of such facilities." In an interview with the Indianapolis Star, Freeman stated, "I have learned that with a metal casting system, a sculptor seeks more and more to control production of a piece of metal sculpture beginning with modeling through the finishing process. As an artist, I can not find anyone to process my work the way I would like to do it. I can’t blueprint my pieces." In January 1970, after 16 months of preparation converting a radiator shop into an operational facility, Freeman debuted the new foundry with a demonstration of a metal casting for students and faculty. Freeman had acquired all of the tools for carving, casting and building sculptures, from a pair of crucible furnaces, to a walk-in kiln, welding equipment, and sandmillers, grinders, and drills.
Freeman remained the head of the Sculpture Department at IUPUI until retiring in 2001. In his 33 years at IUPUI he had been integral in the growth of Herron's sculpture program. In addition to spearheading the opening of the foundry in 1970, he also assisted in the design of Herron's new sculpture and ceramics building at 1350 Indiana Avenue.
A number of Freeman's sculptures have been commissioned by Indianapolis businesses and institutions. Some of these include Monumentalment IV
at the Indianapolis Art Center and For Endless Trees
at the WFYI Building. Broken Walrus I
was formerly found on the IUPUI campus. The Indianapolis Museum of Art
(IMA) included two of Freeman's pieces in their collection. In 1983 the IMA accessioned an Untitled bronze and aluminum relief, which was created between 1971-2. The IMA later acquired the larger sculpture, Broken Walrus II
, as a gift from Robert A. Borns.
, Kentucky
, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
, and Chicago
, Illinois
. His pieces have been featured in multiple shows in the Herron Gallery, IUPUI, including Sculpture Indiana: Breath and Beauty in 1980 and Boundaries, 1989. Solo shows have included Recent Sculpture: Gary Freeman at the Washington Gallery, Indianapolis, in 1979 and more recently Gary Freeman: Small Sculpture from the Evaporation Series at the Shircliff Gallery Of Art, Vincennes University, Indiana, in 2001.
Gary Freeman: A Decade of Sculpture 1979 to 1989 was a retrospective exhibit held at the Herron Galleries at IUPUI from January 19 to February 21, 1990. The collection featured 44 works, including zinc plated steel, copper plated steel, painted steel, and painted wood. A variety of Freeman’s series were included in the exhibition. The “Low Profile” series, featured minimal, abstract pieces such as “Sally’s Jams” (1982) and “Cadinza’s Hill” (1982). The “A.U.L” series (1985) included sculptures created for the American United Life Company competition, which were made to seem as if the pieces were in mid-fall. The “Table Statements” series (1987–89) were functional furniture pieces suggestive of landscapes.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
sculptor from Indianapolis
Indianapolis
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
, Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
. He is Professor Emeritus of Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis
Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis
Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis is an urban campus of Indiana University and Purdue University in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. Indiana University is the managing partner...
(IUPUI) and served as head of the Herron School of Art
Herron School of Art
Herron School of Art and Design, a school of Indiana University, was ranked 45th overall by U.S. News and World Report among graduate schools of fine arts in 2008....
Sculpture Department for 33 years, from 1968 until his retirement in 2001.
Freeman was born in Wellington, Kansas
Wellington, Kansas
Wellington is a city in and the county seat of Sumner County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 8,172.-19th century:...
. He received his BFA in 1961 from the Kansas City Art Institute
Kansas City Art Institute
The Kansas City Art Institute is a private, independent, four-year college of fine arts and design founded in 1885 in Kansas City, Missouri....
. He received his MFA in 1963 from Tulane University
Tulane University
Tulane University is a private, nonsectarian research university located in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States...
. Between 1975 and 1990 Freeman received seven public and private art commissions, including Indianapolis companies such as Indiana Energy Inc., Indianapolis Heliport Corporation, Indianapolis Art Center
Indianapolis Art Center
The Indianapolis Art Center is an art center located in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. The Center, founded in 1934 by the Works Project Administration during the Great Depression as the Indianapolis Art League, is located along the White River...
and Borns Management Company. He also received seven grants, including one to study Stainless Steel Production Methods in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
and throughout Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
. His work is in 23 public and private collections, including the Indianapolis Museum of Art
Indianapolis Museum of Art
The Indianapolis Museum of Art is an encyclopedic art museum located in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. The museum, which underwent a $74 million expansion in 2005, is located on a campus on the near northwest area outside downtown Indianapolis, northwest of Crown Hill Cemetery.The...
, New Orleans Museum of Art
New Orleans Museum of Art
The New Orleans Museum of Art is the oldest fine arts museum in the city of New Orleans. It is situated within City Park, a short distance from the intersection of Carrollton Avenue and Esplanade Avenue, and near the terminus of the "Canal Street - City Park" streetcar line...
, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts
Kalamazoo Institute of Arts
The Kalamazoo Institute of Arts is a non-profit visual arts museum and school in downtown Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States. Admission to most exhibitions and programs is free.-History:...
, and the Newcomb Art School, Tulane University.
For over three decades Freeman proved to be a prolific artist in the Midwest and beyond. Indianapolis Star journalist Marcus B. Chandler declared, "Freeman has come as close as any artist living in Indianapolis to achieving a national reputation in contemporary fine arts."
Career
From 1966-68 Freeman was the head of the sculpture program at Kalamazoo Art Center in Kalamazoo, MichiganKalamazoo, Michigan
The area on which the modern city stands was once home to Native Americans of the Hopewell culture, who migrated into the area sometime before the first millennium. Evidence of their early residency remains in the form of a small mound in downtown's Bronson Park. The Hopewell civilization began to...
. In 1968 he was hired as professor and chair of the Sculpture Department at the Herron School of Art
Herron School of Art
Herron School of Art and Design, a school of Indiana University, was ranked 45th overall by U.S. News and World Report among graduate schools of fine arts in 2008....
at Indiana University-Purdue University of Indianapolis (IUPUI) due to his expertise in metal casting. In addition to heading the Sculpture Department, Freeman was also tasked with creating a bronze foundry for students. Freeman hoped that the foundry would allow students a more hands-on experience with metal sculpture, allowing them to experiment with various methods and materials that they might not otherwise have access to. His vision was for students to be able to utilize a casting system in order to control the production of metal sculpture through the entire process. Freeman believed, "A sculptor’s success with bronze pieces can depend upon availability of such facilities." In an interview with the Indianapolis Star, Freeman stated, "I have learned that with a metal casting system, a sculptor seeks more and more to control production of a piece of metal sculpture beginning with modeling through the finishing process. As an artist, I can not find anyone to process my work the way I would like to do it. I can’t blueprint my pieces." In January 1970, after 16 months of preparation converting a radiator shop into an operational facility, Freeman debuted the new foundry with a demonstration of a metal casting for students and faculty. Freeman had acquired all of the tools for carving, casting and building sculptures, from a pair of crucible furnaces, to a walk-in kiln, welding equipment, and sandmillers, grinders, and drills.
Freeman remained the head of the Sculpture Department at IUPUI until retiring in 2001. In his 33 years at IUPUI he had been integral in the growth of Herron's sculpture program. In addition to spearheading the opening of the foundry in 1970, he also assisted in the design of Herron's new sculpture and ceramics building at 1350 Indiana Avenue.
A number of Freeman's sculptures have been commissioned by Indianapolis businesses and institutions. Some of these include Monumentalment IV
Monumentalment IV
Monumentalment IV, is a public sculpture by American artist Gary Freeman, located on the grounds of the Indianapolis Art Center, in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. The sculpture was surveyed in 1992 by the Smithsonian's Save Outdoor Sculpture! program....
at the Indianapolis Art Center and For Endless Trees
For Endless Trees
For Endless Trees, or For Endless Trees IV, is a public sculpture by American artist Gary Freeman, located in front of the WFYI Building, which is in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. It is a Cor-Ten steel sculpture consisting of four vertical beams, grouped closely together, which branch out...
at the WFYI Building. Broken Walrus I
Broken Walrus I
Broken Walrus I, a public sculpture by American sculptor Gary Freeman , was located on the Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis campus, which is near downtown Indianapolis, Indiana. The sculpture was located North of Lecture Hall from 1975 until about 2004 when it was removed due to...
was formerly found on the IUPUI campus. The Indianapolis Museum of Art
Indianapolis Museum of Art
The Indianapolis Museum of Art is an encyclopedic art museum located in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. The museum, which underwent a $74 million expansion in 2005, is located on a campus on the near northwest area outside downtown Indianapolis, northwest of Crown Hill Cemetery.The...
(IMA) included two of Freeman's pieces in their collection. In 1983 the IMA accessioned an Untitled bronze and aluminum relief, which was created between 1971-2. The IMA later acquired the larger sculpture, Broken Walrus II
Broken Walrus II
Broken Walrus II, is a public sculpture by American artist Gary Freeman, created in 1976 and located at the Indianapolis Museum of Art, which is near Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. It is made of mild steel and is approximately 84 x 84 x 276 inches...
, as a gift from Robert A. Borns.
Major Themes
Throughout his career, Freeman has used precision to create, "meticulously machined and geometrically solved" pieces. Fellow IUPUI professor, artist, and art critic Steve Mannheimer described Freeman's work as a "search for the nearly accidental, the unplanned and irregular, the search for the found, the creation of the done rather than the considered." Freeman's pieces are characterized by structural themes, producing the "problem of support versus supported, braces and brackets coinciding and/or conflicting with free form masses." Freeman utilizes the bases of his sculptures to define the space, brace the work, and anchor it to the ground to make it seem monumental. Freeman has been praised for his, "extraordinary sense of scale and fine awareness of the relationship among size, proportion and weight," which allows for the interplay of these elements to "impact and compose his statement.”Exhibitions
Gary Freeman has been featured in many exhibitions throughout Indiana, as well as LouisvilleLouisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...
, Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
, and Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
. His pieces have been featured in multiple shows in the Herron Gallery, IUPUI, including Sculpture Indiana: Breath and Beauty in 1980 and Boundaries, 1989. Solo shows have included Recent Sculpture: Gary Freeman at the Washington Gallery, Indianapolis, in 1979 and more recently Gary Freeman: Small Sculpture from the Evaporation Series at the Shircliff Gallery Of Art, Vincennes University, Indiana, in 2001.
Gary Freeman: A Decade of Sculpture 1979 to 1989 was a retrospective exhibit held at the Herron Galleries at IUPUI from January 19 to February 21, 1990. The collection featured 44 works, including zinc plated steel, copper plated steel, painted steel, and painted wood. A variety of Freeman’s series were included in the exhibition. The “Low Profile” series, featured minimal, abstract pieces such as “Sally’s Jams” (1982) and “Cadinza’s Hill” (1982). The “A.U.L” series (1985) included sculptures created for the American United Life Company competition, which were made to seem as if the pieces were in mid-fall. The “Table Statements” series (1987–89) were functional furniture pieces suggestive of landscapes.