Patrick Dougherty sculpted his latest "stickworks" called "The Rambles" out of natural materials on the grounds of the Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme.Dougherty used young tree saplings and twigs to make the house-like structure and the public can explore it at the museum located at 96 Lyme St., Old Lyme.
The Florence Griswold Museum is a beautiful historic house surrounded by gardens. It is the original landscape where a colony of American Impressionism artists found inspiration, worked and lived. Features include a remarkable collection of painted panels and doors left in situ (in their original place) by the artists who stayed at the Florence Griswold House, the boardinghouse of the Lyme Art Colony.
"During the first two decades of the 20th century, the village of Old Lyme, Connecticut, was the setting for one of the largest and most significant art colonies in America. Centered in the boardinghouse of Miss Florence Griswold, the colony attracted many leading artists, including Henry Ward Ranger, Childe Hassam, and Willard Metcalf, who were in the vanguard of the Tonalist and Impressionist movements," according the history online of FGM.
For a sample of the light-drenched art work created, visit http://www.florencegriswoldmuseum.org/learning/insitu/html/essays/essay_identity.php.
For more information on touring the grounds or exploring "The Rambles" call (860) 434-5542, or visit www.florencegriswoldmuseum.org.
The installation was supported by the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism and the museum acknowledges the additional support from Andy Baxter, David and Mary Dangremond, and Renee Wilson.
Dougherty's first work was in 1982, called the MapleBodyWrap. During the last two decades, he has built more than 150 works throughout the United States, Europe and Asia.
