Exhibition details
In 1981, Gettysburg College commissioned African-American artist Martin Puryear to create a work of art to commemorate the sesquicentennial anniversary of the College’s founding, and in 1982, Puryear erected Sentinel. Since then, Puryear has come to be regarded as one of the most important contemporary American sculptors. Sentinel, one of Puryear’s first monumental outdoor sculptures, is an important part of Puryear’s legacy.
For the first time at Gettysburg College, a working mold Puryear constructed in preparation for Sentinel and photographs of the 1982 installation will be on display. The exhibition, curated by Kolbe Summer Research Fellow Merlyn Maldonado '22, will also include prints by Puryear that were recently acquired by the College and loaned from a private collection.
Gallery Talk with Merlyn Maldonado Lopez ’22: September 10, 2021, 4:00pm
Location
Project Space
Reception
Lecture
Works on display
In 1981, Gettysburg College commissioned African-American artist Martin Puryear to create a work of art to commemorate the sesquicentennial anniversary of the College’s founding, and in 1982, Puryear erected Sentinel. Since then, Puryear has come to be regarded as one of the most important contemporary American sculptors. Sentinel, one of Puryear’s first monumental outdoor sculptures, is an important part of Puryear’s legacy.
For the first time at Gettysburg College, a working mold Puryear constructed in preparation for Sentinel and photographs of the 1982 installation will be on display. The exhibition, curated by Kolbe Summer Research Fellow Merlyn Maldonado '22, will also include prints by Puryear that were recently acquired by the College and loaned from a private collection.
Shortly after graduating from Gettysburg College, Nicholas Micros ’82 assisted Puryear in installing Sentinel. All are invited to log on to the virtual gallery talk, where Micros will discuss his time as a student at Gettysburg, the lessons learned from Puryear, and his own successful career as a sculptor.
This exhibition is supported by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Africana Studies, and EPACC, Gettysburg College.