The acquisition of “Oh Yeah” was made possible by Craig Johnson and is donated to the park “in gratitude from the Johnson family for the joy our three children Barrett, Jordan and Madeline have brought to our lives.”
The piece is Pyramid Hill’s first 2020 acquisition and brings Pyramid Hill’s permanent sculpture collection to a total of 71 pieces. “Oh Yeah” has been installed and is currently on display at the park. The sculpture is 12 feet high and was created out of galvanized steel.
“Adding ‘Oh Yeah,’ a sculpture created by an internationally renowned artist, to the park’s collection brings a renewed freshness to the park. Additionally, I think it is extremely important to highlight Bret’s regional Ohio connection. Working with him on this donation I had the privilege of visiting his studio space in New Bremen, Ohio. I got to see how he heats, bends, twists, and ties these enormous steel pieces into magnificent sculptures,” said Sean FitzGibbons, executive director of Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum.
Price is a contemporary steel sculptor, with an interest in the challenges of raw material against forces of nature. His work has reached heights of 35 feet and weighed 7.5 tons. Price’s work may be seen in many public and private collections throughout the United States, Europe and Asia, notably in the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the PepsiCo Collection in New York.
“This piece is a fantastic addition to the collection at Pyramid Hill. It is an interesting and dynamic piece. It adds to the collection in a wonderful way. This sculpture was built in 2004, so we’re keeping up with contemporary sculpture trends, and I think it’s really important to keep growing our collection, but growing our collection in very mindful way with a focus on collecting accomplished and cutting-edge sculptors,” FitzGibbons said.
Price lives and works between Orange County, California and New Bremen, Ohio. Price’s documentary, “Art in the Middle” follows the creation of a five-ton sculpture titled “Amore,” the last piece in a series, completed for a year-long exhibition at the Dayton Art Institute. His work has been featured in a solo exhibition at the University of Cincinnati, among countless other solo, two-person and group exhibitions. His body of work also includes many corporate and commissioned pieces.
How to go
What: “Oh Yeah” sculpture by Bret Price
Where: Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park and Museum, 1763 Hamilton-Cleves Road, (Ohio 128), Hamilton.
When: The permanent, monumental outdoor sculpture is now on display.
Cost: General admission to the park for non-members is $8 for adults, $3 for children ages 5 to 12, and free for park members. The park is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., daily.
More info: www.pyramidhill.org. Connect with Bret Price at www.bretprice.com.
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