Bunyon's Chess

1965

American, born 1933

The criss-crossing steel beams of Mark di Suvero's Bunyon's Chess operate like broad brushstrokes drawn in space, a vocabulary that was radically new in sculpture at the time it was made. Created specifically for outdoor presentation in Seattle, Bunyon's Chess, the artist's first private commission, was made with wood as the prominent element in counterpoint to the structure of stainless steel. Di Suvero's interest in sculpture's kinetic qualities (inspired by Alexander Calder), and his use of found objects have remained constants in his career. His numerous public and private commissions, often on a monumental scale, are located worldwide.

Stainless steel and wood

Height: 264 in. (670.9 cm)

Gift of the Virginia and Bagley Wright Collection, in honor of the 75th Anniversary of the Seattle Art Museum

2016.17.1

Provenance: Commissioned from artist by Virginia and Bagley Wright, Seattle, Washington, 1965

Photo: Nathaniel Willson

Now on view at the Olympic Sculture Park

“

Unity and joy. That's why I like to suspend elements from the beams of my works, so they can interact with the wind and other forces.

”

Mark di Suvero

Resources

Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, Olympic Sculpture Park, 2007-ongoing

Published ReferencesMonte, James K. “Mark di Suvero.” New York: Whitney Museum of American Art, 1976. P.34.

Corrin, Lisa Graziose, et al. "Olympic Sculpture Park." Seattle, WA: Seattle Art Museum, 2007, illus. p. 47

Kangas, Matthew, "Sculpture", October 2007, Vol 26, No. 8

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