ACQUISITIONS
ANDREW T. CRAWFORD
If you’re familiar with one sculpture that was already on display outside the museum, you probably recognize Crawford’s name. He’s the creator of “Split,” which sits up on East Campus Road. Crawford often transforms the tools for making sculptures into sculptures themselves, and this massive 500-pound screw cleaved almost in half demonstrates themes that run through much of his work. Crawford alters the ordinary, making everyday objects feel less “rigid” and more “human” by twisting, pulling or splitting them into new shapes. The work first appeared on campus in 2006, alongside eight of Crawford's other “ordinary” objects, and took up its permanent home in 2008 thanks to funds provided by Amburn and Will Power in memory of Mildred and Jay Huskins. Crawford makes ornamental ironwork as well as large- scale sculpture, and many of his gates can be seen around Athens and in Atlanta. Born in New Jersey, he grew up in Atlanta and his studio and workshop still are there today. Crawford and his team installed “On the Verge” in November, just across from the museum’s Carlton Street covered parking area entrance. For a long time, it was just a series of large posts and it was hard to envision the final product, but the sculpture took shape rapidly as workers assembled sections of spiraling metal in between those posts. The result is a work that comes to life as students walk, bike or scoot through it, a passion project that differs substantively from the commercial work at which he excels. Although Crawford attend- ed the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), members of his family went to UGA, and he’s pleased to have one of his largest works of sculpture on its campus, where it and “Split” serve as gateways to the arts district.
Andrew T. Crawford’s “On the Verge” sculpture serves as one of the gateways to the arts district on East Campus.
Crawford’s sculpture installation in progress in November 2022. The work is on view now just across from the museum’s covered parking area off Carlton Street. Photo courtesy of Annelies Mondi.
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