Sculpture Milwaukee continues installations for its 2020 season of public art amid COVID-19 delays

After overcoming significant logistical challenges and delays brought on by the global pandemic, Sculpture Milwaukee announced the list of artists and artworks on July 27 to be featured in the 2020 exhibition.

The free, outdoor, urban art experience has brought relevant, thought-provoking, and unexpected artworks to Wisconsin Avenue – and the downtown – region since 2017. For 2020, several unique sculptures are already on view, with more scheduled for gradual installation over the coming weeks.

“Art helps us navigate the changing world around us; COVID-19 and the Black Lives Matter movement have transformed our daily lives; public art offers new perspectives, diverse points of view, and opportunities to experience our city in new ways. Sculpture Milwaukee is a thought provoking, family-friendly cultural destination that is free for all to enjoy,” said Wayne Morgan, board chair of Sculpture Milwaukee.

This year’s artists and artworks include:

• Lawrence Weiner’s poetically-charged text AT THE SAME MOMENT, 2000*
• Julian Opie’s double-sided LED monolith Natalie Walking, 2016
• Maggie Sasso’s Too Much Sea for Amateurs; Marooned, 2016, a model of Milwaukee’s breakwater lighthouse
• Tony Tasset’s colorful yet menacing Blob Monster, 2009*
• Nari Ward’s Apollo/Poll, 2017 a replica of the famous Apollo Theatre’s sign enmeshed in urgent political commentary
• Thomas Price’s Within the Folds (Dialogue I), 2020 a nine-foot bronze Black man in contemporary clothing (The piece makes its international debut in Milwaukee.)
• Alex Katz’s cut-out sculpture Park Avenue Departure, 2019*
• Jim Dine’s quasi-autobiographical Jim’s Head with Branches, 2019*
• Anna Fasshauer’s vivid blue Tallulah Rapsody, 2019*
• Paul Druecke’s, Shoreline Repast, 2017, which resembles a historical marker*
• Paula Crown’s, Jokester, 2018, a larger-than-life reproduction of a disposable red cup
• Amy Yoe’s Mobile Animation Unit, 2019/20 a colorful experimental video
• Sky Hopinka’s mesmerizing video, I’ll remember you as you were, not as what you will become, 2016
• Leslie Hewitt’s, Forty-two, 2010 which uses archival images from two (now closed) bookstores – “The National Memorial African Bookstore” and Milwaukee’s “Reader’s Choice” to create unexpected poetry.
• Carlos Rolón’s, bright florals will continue to brighten the Chase Bank lobby with Gild the Lily, (Caribbean Hybrid I, II, III), 2019*
• Roxy’s Paine’s eerily beautiful steel tree remains on view, Cleft; from the series Dendroids, 2018*
• Beverly Pepper’s Cor-Ten steel masterpiece from the 2019 exhibition carries over, Curvae in Curvae, 2013-18*
• Richard Woods’ Holiday Home (Milwaukee), 2019, has been repainted in a soft new color pallet for 2020*

Sculpture Milwaukee is an annual outdoor exhibition of public sculpture in downtown Milwaukee that serves as a catalyst for community engagement, economic development, and creative placemaking.

“These extraordinary artworks offer something for everyone- and we mean everyone! Our exhibition is fun for families, a great date-night for couples, and it’s perfect for art-aficionados and novices alike. You can even bring your dog!”, said Meg Strobel, Director of Marketing and Community Engagement for Sculpture Milwaukee. “With nineteen works spread out over a mile and a half, social distancing is built into our model. We are confident that our exhibition can be a safe and inspiring destination for all.”

Visitors must follow all public health recommendations and directives issued by the City of Milwaukee. Sculpture Milwaukee encourages visitors to wear masks and practice safe social distancing. While the organization will be offering group tours for now, guests can access free audio tours on the Sculpture Milwaukee website

“We invite everyone to venture downtown, get some fresh air, take a stroll, and explore these extraordinary world class artworks,” added Morgan.