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Walter MidenerWalter Midener "Contemplation" Seated Figure Clay Sculpture Mid-Century Modern1953
1953
About the Item
SALE ONE WEEK ONLY
“Contemplation” is an abstract clay sculpture of a female. The figure has both arms and legs extended, but the dignified pose suggests an intimate rather than a sexual moment. The sculpture is delicately rendered, but monumental in pose and clean composition reminiscent of the English artist Henry Moore. The surface is warm and slightly rough to the touch. This sculpture is in the round and beautifully balanced geometrically with the hands clasped behind the head forming a slightly flattened polygon shape that is echoed in the positioning of the legs and draped fabric of a presumed dress. The figure draws the viewer into her contemplation, peace and confidence. An exceptional piece by Midener.
Walter Midener studied at the Berlin Academy of Arts (1932–1936), and received a Master of Arts (M.A.) from Wayne State University (1950). He settled in Detroit, Michigan where he became an influential sculptor and teacher.
From 1946 to 1966 he was head of the Sculpture Department of the Art School of the Society of Arts and Crafts (now called College for Creative Studies) and president of The Center for Creative Studies (now called College for Creative Studies.) College for Creative Studies (formerly Center for Creative Studies) faculty and graduates include Richard Jerzy, Harry Bertoia, Doug Chaing (currently director of Lucas Film), Stephen Dinehart (game maker, writer, designer connected with The David Lynch Foundation), Tyree Guyton (international artist), Herb Babcock, Jerome Feretti, Kevin Siembieda (writer, designer and publisher of role-playing games), Renee Radell, Philip Pearlstein, Charles McGee (nationally recognized African American sculptor of animal and dancing spirits), Philip Pearlstein (2000 Honorary Doctorate, Modern Realism style), John Louis Krieger (American Modern), William Girard (American Modern), and Charles Culver.
His preferred mediums were metal, wood, clay and bronze. He exhibited at the Pennsylvania Academy and at various shows in Michigan. Midener's commissions include a portrait bust of Michigan Supreme Court Justice Butzel and a monument in Temple Bethel Memorial Park in Detroit, carved wood relief. His papers are in the Smithsonian’s Archives of American Art.
Walter Midener's daughter is the famous sculptor Wendy Froud who is an American doll-artist, sculptor, puppet-maker and writer. She is best known for her work fabricating Yoda for the 1980 film Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, for which she has been referred to as "the mother of Yoda", and creatures for the Jim Henson films The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth.
- Creator:Walter Midener (1912 - 1998)
- Creation Year:1953
- Dimensions:Height: 18 in (45.72 cm)Width: 9 in (22.86 cm)Depth: 9 in (22.86 cm)
- Medium:
- Movement & Style:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Gallery Location:Detroit, MI
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU128616004862
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