Items Similar to Hugh Townley Abstract Walnut Sculpture "Cloud Touching Decent, " 1986
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 7
Hugh Townley Abstract Walnut Sculpture "Cloud Touching Decent, " 1986
About the Item
Hugh Townley (American, 1923 – 2008)
Cloud Touching Decent, 1986
Walnut
Titled, signed, and dated to the verso
The Hugh Townley Abstract Walnut Sculpture "Cloud Touching Descent, " 1986 is a stunning wall sculpture that will add a touch of sophistication and elegance to any space. The sculpture is crafted from high-quality walnut wood, which has been carefully carved and polished to create a unique and beautiful piece of art.
The beautiful curves and lines of the sculpture are mesmerizing, and the rich walnut color adds warmth and depth to any space.
The "Cloud Touching Descent" sculpture is a one-of-a-kind piece that is sure to become a conversation starter in any room. It is perfect for those who appreciate fine art and unique home décor. The sculpture can be easily mounted on the wall, making it a versatile piece that can be displayed in a variety of settings.
Overall, the Hugh Townley Abstract Walnut Sculpture is a must-have for anyone who wants to add a touch of sophistication and elegance to their home. Its unique design and beautiful craftsmanship make it a true work of art that will be cherished for years to come.
Measurements:
17 inches wide x 24 inches high x 3 inches deep.
About the artist:
Hugh Townley (1923-2008), the sculptor and printmaker, taught and made art from 1952 until his death on February 1, 2008. He worked primarily in wood, but also made monumental outdoor works in concrete. His sculptures -- reliefs and free-standing works -- are intricate constructions of interlocking shapes cut on a band-saw from many woods, both common and exotic. He used a recurring iconography of imaginative, often whimsical, forms, drawn from nature and his wide studies of Native American culture and Eastern spiritualism.
The patterns of the saw, combined with the grain of the wood and natural imperfections, are integral to the design. On many later reliefs he used vibrant color, creating exuberantly original but instantly recognizable sculpture. His latest work was in plywood. He found unseen possibilities in its construction, exploiting the intricacy of design, of which he said: "The layering of the plywood with its black glue lines and rhythmical repeat patterns, plus its physical versatilities, glue-ability and handsome flatness intrigue me."
In 1955, when he was 32, Townley's work was shown in MOMA's Penthouse Gallery, for New Talent. A critic wrote: "Wherever he has lived, Townley has exhibited. He is completely original, taking no slant from any other artist. The viewer is bound to respect his independence, admire his love of material, especially wood, and praise his excellent workmanship.
Hugh Townley was born in Lafayette, Indiana and grew up in Madison, Wisconsin. At 19, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in Europe. On his return in 1945, he enrolled in the Fine Arts program at the University of Wisconsin. One teacher suggested that he study with Ossip Zadkine in Paris, which he did. That experience, and his subsequent year working for the Marshall Plan in The Hague, gave him a valuable breadth of experience in the post-World War II art world. The sculpture he produced during this period earned him his first one-man show. After further studies in Paris and London, he returned to the United States in 1952. Starting at the Layton School of Art in Milwaukee, he embarked on a distinguished teaching career, which included posts at Beloit College, Boston University, and Harvard before he began teaching sculpture and drawing at Brown University in 1961. After his retirement from Brown as Professor Emeritus in 1989, he and his late wife, the artist and writer Mary Ross Townley, moved to a house on the White River in Vermont. The work he produced there maintains its power to surprise and enchant. Townley's vision evolved continually, but his sculpture remained both deeply personal and instantly recognizable. His inventive and individual wit is never far from the surface, and all the works, from the large concrete pieces to the small, intricate Altoid boxes, the many lithographs and drawings, extend the same invitation to exploration and interpretation.
Townley had over fifty one-man exhibitions in major museums and galleries, and was represented in nearly one hundred group shows. In 1972 he received the Rhode Island Governor's Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Arts. Among other honors, he was a Fellow at the Yaddo Foundation (1964) and at the Tamarind Foundation for Lithography (1969). He was honored by the National Institute of Arts and Letters (1967) and the Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston (1980), and was given a one-man show at the St. Gaudens Historical Site in 2002. His work was also included in the National Academy exhibition in New York City in 2004. In the last three years of his life he had five one-man shows and was in two group shows.
His sculpture is in the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art and the Whitney Museum in New York, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, the Fogg Museum of Harvard University, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, the Rhode Island School of Design, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Dartmouth College, the Milwaukee Art Center, the DeCordova Museum in Lincoln, Massachusetts, the Amon Carter Museum of Western Art in Fort Worth, Texas and the San Francisco Museum of Art, among other institutions, and is in many private collections.
He has done major installations for Brown University, the Faye School in Southborough, Massachusetts, the Oregon International Sculpture Symposium in Eugene, Oregon, the Oakwood Comprehensive Training Center in Somerset, Kentucky, and American Airlines Admirals Club in Luis Mu–oz Airport, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Hugh Townley's work continues to be shown at the BigTown Gallery in Rochester, Vermont. In October 2008 Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts, will host a large spectrum of his sculpture and works on paper in its Beard and Weil Galleries.
- Creator:Hugh Townley (Sculptor)
- Dimensions:Height: 24 in (60.96 cm)Width: 17 in (43.18 cm)Depth: 3 in (7.62 cm)
- Style:American Craftsman (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:1980-1989
- Date of Manufacture:1986
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. minor dust residue; a few dark residue spots in the upper left portion of sculpture; a couple of small chips to one piece; minimal surface marks and wear throughout; a couple of splits to the wood panel on the verso.
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU881727653682
About the Seller
4.9
Gold Seller
These expertly vetted sellers are highly rated and consistently exceed customer expectations.
Established in 2008
1stDibs seller since 2009
267 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: <1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Los Angeles, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
More From This SellerView All
- Brutalist Style Wall Sculpture in CopperLocated in Los Angeles, CABrutalist style wall sculpture in copper with a black blacp painted metal backing, excellent condition, little to no wear. Measures: 36” high x 13 1/4” wide x 2.5” deep.Category
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Wall-mounted Sculptures
MaterialsMetal, Copper
- Tanya Ragir "Rolling Hills" Wall SculptureBy Tanya RagirLocated in Los Angeles, CA"Rolling Hills" is a large-scale wall mounted sculpture composed of 36 individual elements which can be installed in a variety of configurations. This is one of the earliest piece...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Wall-mounted Sculptures
MaterialsCast Stone
- "Clouds" Wall Sculpture by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec for Ligne Roset, France 06By Ronan and Erwan BouroullecLocated in Los Angeles, CAIntroducing the "Clouds" Wall Sculpture by renowned designers Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec for Ligne Roset, France 06. Clouds is an innovative, colorful decorative motif concept. Each ...Category
Early 2000s French Modern Contemporary Art
MaterialsMetal
- Attila Tivadar Abstract Female Body SculpturesBy Attila TivadarLocated in Los Angeles, CAA pair of cast stone abstract sculptures depicting female bodies with exaggerated curves seating in different reclining poses. The sculptures are finished...Category
20th Century American Expressionist Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsCast Stone
- Renata Zerner "Big Country" Triptych 1986, APLocated in Los Angeles, CABig Country, etching on zinc triptych by German artist Renata Zerner. This is the Artist Proof, and is signed by the artist. Measurements: 34 inches...Category
Vintage 1980s American Expressionist Drawings
MaterialsPaper
- Cloud Sofa by Naoto Fukasawa for B&B ItaliaBy Naoto Fukasawa, B&B ItaliaLocated in Los Angeles, CAIntroducing the Cloud Sofa by Naoto Fukasawa for B&B Italia - a stunning piece of furniture that will transform any living space into a cozy and comfortable haven. This beautiful cou...Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Sofas
MaterialsChrome
You May Also Like
- Hugh Townley Wall Mounted Sculpture, 1962Located in Dallas, TXA mahogany wall mounted sculpture by Hugh Townley, 1962.Category
Vintage 1960s Wall-mounted Sculptures
MaterialsMahogany
- 1986 Wall Sculpture by: Curtis JereBy Curtis JeréLocated in Cathedral City, CA1986 ELEGANT BRASS AND COPPER WALL SCULPTURE SIGNED AND DATED BY CURTIS JERE. Curtis Jere© is a brand name for the company Artisan House. The founders of Artisan House, Jerry Fels and his brother-in-law Curtis Freiler, started Artisan House in 1964 with the intention of providing original high gallery quality metal art for the masses. The name “Curtis Jere? was created by simply combing their two first names Curtis and Jer. We don't know why the French ampersand was added but can guess that it was to promote a high quality image as items from France...Category
Late 20th Century American Wall-mounted Sculptures
MaterialsMetal, Brass, Copper
- Jurij Strutynsky "Relief No.56" 1986 Abstract ConstructionBy Jurij StrutynskyLocated in San Diego, CA1986 painted wood structurlist abstract construction or wall hanging sculptural relief titled "Relief No.56" by Jurij Strutynsky. Soft cool pale...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Wall-mounted Sculptures
- Richard Manz 'Trapez' - Three Dimensional Art Wall Sculpture, 1986By Richard ManzLocated in Esbjerg, DKTri-dimensional Wall Sculpture called Trapez or Trapezoid. Made in 1986 by the Danish/German ceramist Richard Manz (1933-1999) overseen and most likely in collaboration with his wife...Category
Vintage 1980s Danish Modern Wall-mounted Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
- Infernum Abstract Golden SculptureBy Katz StudioLocated in San Jose del Cabo, BCSBased on mathematical functions and algorithms, software generated design allows for the development of new forms and geometries that would be hard if not impossible to conceive or p...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Sculptures
MaterialsResin
- 1986 Curtis Jere Karl Benz Mercedes Brass Bicycle Sculpture Mid-Century ModernBy Curtis JeréLocated in Dayton, OHCurtis Jere wall sculpture portraying Karl Benz (Mercedes Benz) first Motorwagen that was built in 1886. Signed along the wheel, 1986. Made from brass with wood grain accents.Category
Vintage 1980s Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsBrass
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
White Abstract Sculpture Wood Large
Modern Outdoor Wall Art
Large Black Wood Wall Sculpture
American War Independence
American War Of Independence
Milwaukee Furniture
Small Faye
Free Standing Modern Sculpture
Carved Wood Mary
Outdoor Wall Art Vintage
Large Outdoor Wall Art
Walnut Box Signed
Hand Carved Outdoor Sculpture
Eastern Walnut
Wood Box 19
Monumental Box
Whimsical Walnut
Wood Carved Outdoor Furniture