Liza Lou challenges traditional definitions of painting, sculpture, and craft in her dazzling installations made entirely of glass beads. Color Field, the artist’s largest sculpture to date, is an abstract work measuring approximately 1,400 square feet that will carpet nearly the entire floor of the Neuberger Museum of Art’s largest gallery in a shimmering field of color. The sculpture, made up of thousands of stainless steel wires sheathed in over two million tiny glass beads, is arranged in a grid of brilliant colored squares. Lou originally created Color Field in Durban, South Africa, where she lived from 2005–2014, working with a team of nearly 30 Zulu women artisans. This monumental work will be re-created on site at the Neuberger Museum under the artist’s direction. The exhibition also includes Lou’s Solid Gray and Color/White canvases, a series of monochromatic woven beaded works in various hues.
Announcement from the Neuberger Museum of Art about Liza Lou’s Color Field
I wish to thank the entire community including Purchase College students, faculty and staff; Museum visitors and members; and all who participated in assembling Liza Lou'sColor Field at the Neuberger Museum of Art I am pleased to announce that the artist and the Museum completed the project earlier than anticipated due to great support from the community. We enthusiastically invite you to view Liza Lou: Color Field and Solid Grey from November 8, 2015 through February 21, 2016 at the Neuberger. You are in for a real treat!
Again, thank you for your overwhelming support and participation. We look forward to seeing you at the Museum.
— Tracy Fitzpatrick, Director Neuberger Museum of Art
Liza Lou: Color Field and Solid Grey is organized by the Neuberger Museum of Art, Purchase College, SUNY, and curated by Helaine Posner, Chief Curator. The exhibition is made possible with generous support from Donna and Marvin Schwartz. Additional support is provided by ArtsWestchester, with support from the Westchester County Government.