Acclaimed Sculptor to Visit FIU Frost Art Museum

Nichana Miller/Contributing Writer

Master of transforming the objects we use in our daily lives into dynamic works of art, Willie Cole is a renowned American artist that will be visiting FIU at The Patricia and Phillip Frost Art Museum on Saturday, Nov. 2.

As most of his inspiration comes from his life, many of his pieces are made of ordinary, every day items such as high-heeled shoes and ironing boards.

Cole skillfully reconstructs these normal items, giving them additional layers of meaning and producing grand sculptures, wall works and other pieces.

While he works and lives in New Jersey, his art pieces have traveled inexhaustibly. Cole’s work has been featured in popular American museums, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Miami Art Museum (now the Pérez Art Museum Miami).

His work has also been featured in museums at large universities including Harvard University and at the Snite Museum of Art at the University of Notre Dame.

As an artist, Cole says that some of the things he mostly loves and enjoy about his art world is the peace, travel and freedom that comes with it.

FIU will be added to Cole’s list of visited schools.

The artist will be giving a lecture for the Steven & Dorothea Green Critics’ Lecture Series at the Frost Art Museum. This Critics’ Lecture Series has included some of the most captivating individuals throughout the world of art, such as Laurie Anderson and Alanna Heiss.

Since the start of the lecture series in 1981, over 130 speakers have been brought to South Florida, inspiring individuals to ponder and evaluate art practices and other aspects of the art world.

The museum will continue it series of  lectures with Cole’s lecture on “Harnessing Creativity.” During his lecture, the artist will take time to address and talk about his previous art pieces and projects.

Cole is expected to speak on some of the practices he uses when creating his work and how they, in turn, address topics surrounding the social, cultural and political context of African American communities.

Cole’s lecture will on Saturday, Nov. 2 from 3-4 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

For further details and to RSVP, visit https://frost.fiu.edu/exhibitions-events/events/2019/11/steven-dorothea-green-critics-lecture-presents-willie-cole.html