Neil Goodman Sculpture

Artist to Appear at Manilow Sculpture Park

Renowned sculptor Neil Goodman will share his insights about art with the public during a daylong appearance Thursday, November 11 at Governors State University's Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park (NMSP).

Goodman and NMSP Curator and Director Geoffrey Bates will engage in a conversation about art at GSU's Sherman Recital Hall at 5:45 p.m. It is free and open to the public. A public reception is scheduled at 6:30 p.m. in the atrium of the university's Faculty Office Center.

Goodman's appearance also includes a meeting with GSU's fine arts faculty and one-on-one critiques with students.

Five of Goodman's sculptures are on display at the NMSP. "Neil Goodman in the Park" is a collection of sculptures produced in 2004: "Wind," "Ballast," "Ray," "Four Corners," and "Alcance." Goodman's art marks the second installment in NMSP's Solo Exhibition Series.

"Neil Goodman is an important artist who draws inspiration from the industrial landscape of northwest Indiana, where he grew up and continues to work," Bates said. "We are fortunate to have his work on display and his visit is an extraordinary opportunity for our students, faculty, and the rest of the NMSP and GSU community."

Goodman, who currently lives and has a studio in Chicago, is a Professor of Art at Indiana University Northwest in Gary. Goodman says he has been inspired for many years by the industrial rustbelt topography in northwest Indiana. According to Bates, the artist's angular geometric forms have an organic quality that fits in well with NMSP's rolling landscape.

"Four of these works are so open and linear that they almost disappear into the landscape. They offer marked counterpoint to much of the massed, heavy steel sculpture we have in our collection," Bates said.

The five Goodman pieces are on loan from the artist and will appear at NMSP through October, 2011. Goodman's sculpture has been commissioned and collected by museums, corporations, convention centers, parks, synagogues, universities and private residences. He is represented by Perimeter Gallery in Chicago.

The Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park is located at Governors State University's main campus in University Park. The park is free of charge and open from dawn to dusk 365 days a year. For more information about the sculpture park, visit www.govst.edu/sculpture or call (708) 534-4486.