Brent Kington Hand-Forged Steel Weathervane
Item Details
Brent Kington (American, 1934-2013)
Weathervane, 1978
Hand forged steel
59’ W x 37’ H
Provenance:
Collection of the Artist and family.
A hand-forged steel weathervane by Brent Kington (American, 1934-2013), executed in 1978. Shaped with organic, flowing lines in an abstracted manner of arabesque forms, this kinetic weathervane utilizes a singular system of balance that allows for lyrical movement around the base. The revolution of the weathervane is reminiscent of the mobiles of Alexander Calder and George Rickey. Monogrammed at the point of balance to the underside.
Fascinated by the ancient craft of blacksmithing and inspired by an arms and armor exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1964, Kington set out on a mission that would ultimately spark the revival of the forgotten art form of blacksmithing 1. In the 1970’s, Kington began creating one his most important bodies of work, a series of weathervanes. These kinetic weathervanes often displayed twisting, ribbon forms with flattened discs on either side. The end result is a dazzling display of harmonious balance. This particular weathervane has a companion piece at the Mint Museum in North Carolina (Link Provided Below). The weathervane is tremendously significant to Kington’s overall body of work.
Notes:
1 Mint Museum, Collection Database.
Brent Kington was born in Topeka, Kansas where he received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Kansas then his Master’s degree from Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield, MI. He established the Country’s only accredited Bachelor and Master of Fine Arts program in blacksmithing during his tenure as a Professor at Southern Illinois University. His work has been featured in 22 one man exhibitions as well as over 370 national and international shows and his awards and honors are numerous. A catalogue was published of Kington’s work by the Illinois State Museum in conjunction with his exhibit at the ISM Southern Illinois Art Gallery in 2007.
Literature:
L. Brent Kington: Mythic Metalsmith Exhibition Catalog, Chicago: Illinois State Museum Society, 2008, page 60.
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Dimensions
Item #
17DCC300-365
Additional Information
