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Tom Brun
"Jim Jim" Ebony Sculpture with Dark Patina, Portrait of Detroit Zoo Gorilla

1950s-1960s

About the Item

"Jim Jim" is an ebony carving by Tom Brun, sculptor and Detroit Zoo Keeper, who cared for the real Jim Jim at the Detroit Zoo. This ebony sculpture is in beautiful condition with slight exposure to the lighter streak of wood sometimes found in ebony. It is said that Tom would often go into a house and pick up one of his sculptures and say that it was unfriendly – meaning that it had not been handled enough. Morley Driver has said of Brun in a newspaper article from the 1950’s “In Any Animal He Sees Beauty”: No one who has ever seen a Tom Brun hippopotamus will ever again think of it as ugly or ungainly, meaning that the artist not only gives you beauty but teaches you to see it. Tom has said: “Small pieces are like a proverb – a gem of meaning that one can dissect.” They are meant to be picked up, caressed and held. Tom knew Jim Jim from birth and cared for him with love and attention. Brun was a compassionate zookeeper and advocated for less cages and more space for an animal to roam. Brun was born in England in 1913. A few years after the end of World War I his father moved the family in 1919 to Detroit, Michigan. In 1935 at age 23, he officially became a U.S. citizen. He served in the army during World War II for five years and upon discharge and at the age of 36 took advantage of the GI Bill and applied for admission to Society of Arts and Crafts (now known as the College for Creative Studies) where he was gladly accepted. While at Arts and Crafts his instructors and established artists such as Sarkis Sarkisian, John P. Foster, Morris Brose, Richard Koslow, Patricia Burnett, Lloyd and Renee Radell , and the famous Eliel Saarinen Architect family took to him immediately. His natural carving and fast learning abilities created the fuel for his fast growing reputation while in school. After graduation Tom went to work at the Detroit Zoo temporarily. You might say, as a Zookeeper, he lived on a daily basis with his models learning their personalities that he later captured in sculptures. He loved the animals and from the many photos in his archives, the animals appear to have trusted and respected him. He eventually became the Great Ape exhibit keeper. Tom has said of the apes: “They were the gentlest of creatures shy and full of affection.” He began working at the zoo in 1951 for the same reason he would leave 12 years later – to pursue his art career. Last photo is of Tom with Jim Jim at the Detroit Zoo circa 1950s Tom Brun was one of the numerous well-known and practicing artists that attended Detroit Society of Arts and Crafts founded in 1906 and now known as 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), Charles Culver, Henry Heading, Hughie Lee-Smith, Joseph Wesner, Janet Hamrick, Lois Teicher, Barbara Dorchen, Joseph John Bernard (faculty), and Claudia Shepard (faculty). Tom Brun's sculptures can be found in corporate and private collections throughout the United States.
  • Creator:
    Tom Brun (American)
  • Creation Year:
    1950s-1960s
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 10 in (25.4 cm)Width: 9 in (22.86 cm)Depth: 6 in (15.24 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    Detroit, MI
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU128619199802

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