Serenity - Chicago, IL
Posted by: 
adgorn
N 41° 58.848 W 087° 43.056
16T E 440552 N 4647893
Two-story tall bronze sculpture of a seated male and female, with birds perched upon their heads, atop a large stone-faced pyramid.
Waymark Code: WMC1B0
Location: Illinois, United States
Date Posted: 07/13/2011
Views: 1
From the 2005 press release about placing the sculpture:
"Ruth Duckworth, one of the leading sculptors of our time, has created "Serenity," a bronze sculpture installed on Northeastern Illinois University's (NEIU) main campus in May. This is the first free-standing Duckworth sculpture to be permanently installed in Chicago.
Duckworth's highly regarded works are included in major private and museum collections around the world. She is recognized as one of the greatest influences on modern sculpture and ceramics.
After fleeing her German homeland to escape Nazi oppression, Duckworth studied art in England. She came to Chicago in 1964 to teach at the University of Chicago. Duckworth, who will celebrate her 86th birthday this year (2005), still spends eight hours a day working in her Chicago studio.
Northeastern Illinois University President Salme Harju Steinberg remarked, "When Ms. Duckworth visited the University, she noted our rich diversity and was acutely aware of the closeness and respect for the natural environment that is evident on our campus. She sought to integrate those impressions into her art, and I am convinced she has succeeded heroically."
Duckworth died in Chicago at age 90 on October 18, 2009.
I was actually looking for a peace pole near the campus when I happened upon this and other interesting sculptures. I had never heard of Duckworth so this was an interesting learning experience. There is a good autobiographical video at (
visit link)