Outdoor Sculpture to Be Displayed at MarinMOCA

By MarinMOCA

MarinMOCA will be exhibiting its first outdoor sculpture. Generously loaned by Robert Hudson and Brian Gross Gallery, the sculpture will be installed in the coming weeks and is presented by MarinMOCA in partnership with the City of Novato. Join us to celebrate its installation here at the Novato Arts Center with a ribbon cutting on Wednesday, September 16th at 3:30 pm.

Created in 2010, Robert Hudson’s SPOTLIGHT is a relatively recent work within the artist’s five-decade career. However, the sculpture is a quintessential example of 1960’s Funk Art, a movement that originated in the Bay Area. Hudson was an instrumental figure in the movement and SPOTLIGHT demonstrates his mastery of Assemblage, or the combination of seemingly disparate found materials to create a coherent, aesthetic whole. Created from found steel, stainless steel, cast iron, porcelain enamel, and epoxy paint pieces pulled from everyday appliances, the looming nine-foot sculpture gets its name from the metal disk on the upper right, which casts a shadow of spotted light when hit by the sun.

Long time resident of the North Bay, Robert Hudson is a contemporary of Roy de Forest, Richard Shaw, and Mark DiSuvero and has an artistic career that spans five decades. He has taught art at several schools in California, including the San Francisco Art Institute, the University of California at Berkeley, the University of California at Davis and the California College of Arts and Crafts. His polychrome steel sculptures are in major collections around the country including the Museum of Modern Art (New York), the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and the Art Institute of Chicago. He was recently awarded the Lee Krasner award in recognition of a lifetime of artistic achievement. Executive Director, Heidi LaGrasta says, “We are excited to bring an artist of this caliber to Novato. Coordinating the logistics involved in the installation of a major sculptural work has been a joint effort between the city, the artist and the museum. I believe Hudson’s work will be a wonderful addition to the community’s artistic offerings and will help further distinguish Novato and our location as a cultural destination.”

The public is invited to celebrate the installation here at the Novato Arts Center with a ribbon cutting on Wednesday, September 16th at 3:30 - 4pm. Guests will also have an opportunity to meet the artist.

About MarinMOCA:

MarinMOCA was started in 1983 by artists passionate about providing a supportive structure for artists’ growth while incorporating a strong element of community service into the organization. Housed within the Novato Arts Center on Hamilton Field, the museum hosts classes, lectures, events and exhibits which support the artist and inspire the community. With over 150 artist members and 15 exhibitions per year, MarinMOCA is a vibrant arts destination in Marin that showcases outstanding local and international contemporary artworks.