Robert Gober

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Robert Gober

Untitled, 1992, mixed media, Collection of the Artist
Born (1954-09-12) September 12, 1954
Wallingford, Connecticut
Nationality American
Field Sculpture
Training Middlebury College, Vermont, Tyler School of Art in Rome
Robert Gober, Untitled (Leg), 1989-90, beeswax, cotton, wood, leather and human hair, Museum of Modern Art, New York

Robert Gober (b. September 12, 1954) is an American sculptor. His work is often related to domestic and familiar objects such as sinks, doors, and legs.

Early life and education

Gober was born in Wallingford, Connecticut and studied literature and then fine art[1] at Middlebury College,[2] Vermont and the Tyler School of Art in Rome. Gober settled in New York in 1976 and initially earned his living as a carpenter and handyman, crafting stretchers for artists and renovating lofts.[3] He also worked as an assistant to the painter Elizabeth Murray[4] for five years.[5]

Work

Gober's work is often related to domestic and familiar objects such as sinks, doors, and legs, and has themes of nature, sexuality, religion, and politics. The sculptures are meticulously handcrafted, even when they appear to just be a re-creation of a common sink. While he is best known for his sculptures, he has also made photographs, prints, and drawings and has curated exhibitions. Most recently, in the Whitney Biennial 2012, he curated a room of Forrest Bess's paintings and archival materials dealing with the artist's exploration into hermaphrodism. He also curated “Heat Waves in a Swamp: The Paintings of Charles Burchfield” at the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles in 2009 (which traveled to the Burchfield Penney Art Center, Buffalo and the Whitney Museum of American Art, New York in 2010). One of his most well known series of works of sculptures of sinks.

Exhibitions

In 1984, the Paula Cooper Gallery in New York hosted Gober's first solo exhibition.[6] The Art Institute of Chicago presented the artist's first museum exhibition in 1988.[7] Gober has since had exhibitions of his work in Europe, North America and Japan. He represented the United States at the 2001 Venice Biennale[8] and has had several one-person museum exhibitions including at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, the Jeu de Paume, Paris, and Dia Art Foundation, New York. His work has also been included in five Whitney Biennials, including the 2000 Whitney Biennial with Sarah Sze, Doug Aitken, Cai Guo-Qiang, Louise Lawler and Richard Tuttle. In 2007 there was a retrospective exhibition of his work at the Schaulager in Basel. The exhibition was accompanied by a comprehensive book of his sculptures entitled Robert Gober. Sculptures and Installations 1979-2007. (ISBN 3865214738) Gober participated in the group show Lifelike that originated at the Walker Art Center in 2012.[9]

Gober is represented by the Matthew Marks Gallery.

Collections

Gober's work is in many museum collections, including the Whitney Museum of American Art,[10] The Museum of Modern Art, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, the Menil Collection, the Tate Modern and the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden.

Recognition

In 2013, the Hammer Museum honored Gober along with playwright Tony Kushner at its 11th Annual Gala in the Garden, with Gober being introduced by fellow artist Charles Ray.[11]

Personal life

Gober lives with his partner Donald Moffett.[12] They reside in New York City and North Fork, New York, where Gober also maintains a studio.[13]

References

  1. ↑ Robert Gober Museum of Modern Art, New York.
  2. ↑ "San Francisco Museum of Modern Art : Robert Gober: Sculptures and Drawings". Traditional Fine Arts Organization. Retrieved 29 May 2011. 
  3. ↑ Robert Gober Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York.
  4. ↑ Robert Gober Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York.
  5. ↑ Robert Gober National Gallery of Art, Washington.
  6. ↑ Robert Gober Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York.
  7. ↑ Phyllis Braff (October 7, 2001), A North Fork Artist at the Venice Biennale New York Times.
  8. ↑ "La Biennale di Venezia - National Pavilion of USA". OneArtWorld. Retrieved 29 May 2011. 
  9. ↑ Sheets, Hilarie M. (April 19, 2012). "Use Your Illusion". ARTnews. Retrieved May 3, 2013. 
  10. ↑ "Robert Gober". Whitney Museum of American Art. Retrieved 29 May 2011. 
  11. ↑ David Ng (July 11, 2013), Hammer Museum to fete Robert Gober, Tony Kushner at gala Los Angeles Times.
  12. ↑ Jori Finkel (October 7, 2009), Opposites Attract, and an Exhibition Opens New York Times.
  13. ↑ Phyllis Braff (October 7, 2001), A North Fork Artist at the Venice Biennale New York Times.

External links

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