Charles Ginnever’s Hellenic Series draws directly from established mythological frameworks, in which
classical reference becomes a site of formal inquiry. Ginnever often used finished sculptures as a
springboard to start the next project. Recently installed at the park, the galvanized steel sculpture, 4 the
5th (of Beethoven), 1972, on long-term loan from the artist’s family, became an inspiration for the
artist's following body of work, called the Hellenic Series. The exhibit will show artists searching for the
next direction using drawings, geometric studies, and steel models. Experimenting with geometries first explored in Linear Series, and inspired by the shadows of Stonehenge he visited in 1974, Ginever draws
and re-draws the already-created sculptures to push the expressive qualities of steel. The resulting body
of work, shadows that come to life, swell up and twist, all while harking back to the archaic origins of
Minoan and Greek myths. The Gatehouse Gallery setting, with direct access to the outdoor patio, allows
showcasing the larger drawings and small engineering diagrams, while the models can be shown in
natural light inside and outdoors, directly in front of the gallery.
An internationally recognized artist, Charles Ginnever (1931 – 2019), initially trained under Ossip
Zadkine in the early 50’s at the Acedémie de la Grande Chaumière in Paris. He completed his artistic
training in 1959 with a Master's in Fine Arts from Cornell University. Ginnever’s prolific career spans
over six decades, and from his earliest works to his last, he consistently challenged viewers’ notions of
perspective, both Western and Non-Western. Ginnever has exhibited widely over his long career in
prestigious galleries and museums around the world. His work can be found in many private and public
collections and sculpture parks around the country, including The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Walker
Art Center, Storm King, and The Smithsonian.