Local Public Art

This is a sketch of Albert Paley's sculpture, Soliloquy, which will be installed at the Memorial Art Gallery as part of Centennial Sculpture Park. He has worked internationally and has a studio based right on Lyell Avenue in the city of Rochester. This piece will be 25 feet tall and made of stainless steel. I love seeing the planning process as he maps his drawing carefully before a sculpture is actually built. 

I know many students ask, "If I'm good at sculpting why do I need to draw, too?" Or, "Can't I just wing it and play with materials and see what happens?"  There is a time for everything!

Working as a full time artist Albert Paley needs to be able to convince a community or organization that his work is valid, valuable and worth the time and energy to have it installed. Paley often needs to work with architects and engineers to ensure safety and longevity of his work before it is installed in a public space. Clear expectations regarding size, scale, deadlines and the expense of materials and labor are needed to ensure that all parties get a final work that pleases everyone involved in the decision making process. Then, after all of that, the community will still have a debate on if the work is all that it should be!