Finding geometry in Jacksonville’s sculptural explosion
Have you noticed the recent explosion of sculptural art installations in Jacksonville? From the recent exhibition at J. Johnson Gallery featuring local artist Dolf James, and the new Sculpture Walk Jax in Downtown, to the sculpture installation at the Jacksonville Zoo, there are many new pieces – from whimsical to thought-provoking – spread all over town.
Then, of course, there is The Cummer’s new Community Sculpture Garden, and the permanent sculptures prominently placed outside of The Cummer and MOCA Jacksonville. These two works (Takashi Soga’s Sea of the Ear Rings at The Cummer and James A. Rosburg’s Harlan at MOCA Jax) are particularly clear displays of shapes and lines.
So, let’s focus a sculpture discussion on just that – shapes and lines. What is it about these simple forms that people find so comforting, encourage meditation, or are just agreeable to look at or live with? We thought we’d go to some area artists and art educators to get their take on geometric abstraction in art.
And who better to do the asking than local art collector and MOCA Jacksonville 
trustee Michael Cavendish? Cavendish posed some thoughtful questions to this select group: Jenny K. Hager, associate professor, sculpture, University of North Florida; Lily Kuonen, assistant professor of art & foundations, Jacksonville University, and associate VP for programming, integrative teaching international; and Mark Creegan, assistant professor of drawing and design, Florida State College at Jacksonville, Kent Campus, and Wesley Gibbon, associate director, J. Johnson Gallery.
