Award-winning sculptor James Surls exhibits at SUMA
By Brooke Vlasich
The world of James Surls — where thorny vines walk, molecules spin in space, and eyes embellish petals — will be on display at the Southern Utah Museum of Art at Southern Utah University. This exciting exhibition of more than 50 works of sculpture and drawing by the award-winning artist opens to the public July 7.
“I kind of live in a made-up, fabricated dream world,” explained Surls. “And my dream comes true … a lot.” This contemporary artist sees the world differently. Using natural materials, Surls expresses his surroundings through organically shaped sculptures and drawings that capture the atmosphere of the landscape.
Visitors to the exhibition will notice that nature figures prominently in Surls’ sculptures and drawings. Over the course of four decades, he has developed abstract forms in wood, steel, and bronze that are inspired by flowers, the human body, and rock formations. The exhibition at SUMA will also provide the opportunity to temporarily install a large sculpture on the Sam and Diane Stewart Family Foundation Plaza. “Walking through the Thorn Vine” is approximately 11 feet wide by 11 feet tall and illustrates a spiral of thorns and a series of eyes that double as petals.
Surls has received numerous honors for his work, including the Texas Medal of Arts Awards in the Visual Arts from the Texas Cultural Trust in 2013, and he was named Artist of the Year by the American Institute of Architecture – Houston in 2012. His work has been displayed around the country, including at the Museum of Modern Art, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and the Guggenheim. In addition to major exhibitions throughout the United States, Surls’s large works have been commissioned in Singapore, Houston, New York, and Hollywood.
“We are honored to host such a distinguished artist in southern Utah,” said Jessica Farling, the director and curator of SUMA. “I hope this exhibition not only inspires and intrigues museum visitors but that it also challenges our ideas of what art is and ultimately broadens our understanding and appreciation of art.”
The public opening for the exhibition is being held in conjunction with the museum’s second anniversary. SUMA will also host a birthday bash July 7 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Participants can expect many family-friendly activities such as opportunities to create their own wire sculptures, enjoy live music, and eat birthday cake.
“As part of the birthday celebration, the Friends of SUMA will also be unveiling a newly-designed membership level called SUMA Families,” said Whitney Staheli, manager of finance and administration. “We are excited to show everyone the mascot created for SUMA Families and hope that it helps families in Cedar City get excited about their community art museum.”
More family fun will continue with the Create Playdate program July 17, which will take inspiration from the Surls exhibition with a book called “A Line Can Be” by Laura Ljungkvist. Following the book, visitors can enjoy a related art activity for toddlers and preschoolers who are accompanied by adults. This program is free, and no registration is required.
“James Surls: Across the Universe Divide” will remain on display through Sept. 29. A section of the gallery included in the exhibition allows children and families to further explore Surls’ world through artwork components they can touch and a gallery guide with instructions for an impromptu scavenger hunt through the exhibition. A gallery talk presented by Farling is scheduled for Sept. 6. As part of the Art Insights lecture series at sUU, Surls will give a public talk Sept. 20 in the Great Hall of the Hunter Conference Center.
More information about the exhibition and programs is available at suu.edu/suma.
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