Creation Date

Sculpture creation date: 1998

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Description

Color photograph of a gray granite inuksuk-like stone structure standing on a grassy lawn with trees and buildings in the background. The image shows "Inuksuk," a 1998 sculpture by Clark Fitz-Gerald located on the grounds of George Stevens Academy in Blue Hill, Maine. The work is constructed from stacked blocks of rough gray granite and takes the form of a simplified human figure, echoing the appearance of traditional Inuit inuksuit. A tall, tapered vertical stone forms the body, with additional slabs projecting horizontally to suggest arms and shoulders, and smaller blocks stacked on top create a head-like element, giving the sculpture a monumental, minimalist presence. The style can be described as modernist and abstract, using basic geometric forms and natural stone surfaces to suggest the human figure rather than depicting it realistically. Because this Indigenous Arctic marker form is recreated by a white, male sculptor for a New England school context, the work raises concerns about cultural appropriation and the use of culturally specific symbols outside their original community. The sculpture stands on a base of small stones set into the lawn, with a paved road, parked vehicle, and distant buildings visible beyond the trees. 1998. Unidentified photographer. (See p16938-p16939)(NA4800.)

Save Outdoor Sculpture! (SOS!) (1990-1995) was a nationwide survey that ran from 1990-1995 documenting America’s outdoor sculpture. Established in 1990, SOS! helped educate local communities about America’s endangered sculptural heritage. The Maine Arts Commission was one of 106 organizations to participate in this survey.

Topic

Folk art, Sculpture

Collection

MF161

Series Number

NA4800

Identifier

p16939

Rights and Access Note

This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. In addition, no permission is required from the rights-holder(s) for non-commercial uses. For other uses, you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s). For more information, contact Special Collections.

Existence and Location of Originals

Located at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress: AFC 2012/047 https://lccn.loc.gov/2013655211.

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Keywords

Save Outdoor Sculpture

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Rights Statement

In Copyright - Non-Commercial Use Permitted