WEST PALM BEACH (February 23, 2011) –Larger-than-life bronze sculptures of ants, warriors and seedpods created by Susan P. Cochran were installed last week at the Ann Norton Sculpture Garden. The sculptures are on display through April 2, 2011 as a part of the Inside Out: Garden & Gallery exhibit.
Always having an appreciation for insects, Cochran received various books on the subject from her father, which deepened her childhood curiosity and provided a basis for creatively exploring the inhabitants of the undergrowth beneath a magnifying glass. In 2008, several of Cochran’s ants were on display at the Palm Beach International airport as a part of Art in Public Places and then traveled by sea on a voyage that took them from Florida to Dubai via two 40-foot containers. Upon their return, the ants were refurbished and then flown to Las Vegas to be a part of the Bellagio Hotel and Casino’s 2010 spring/summer garden show. The whole colony was most recently on display at Lotusland in Montecito, California with their next stop being the Caribbean.
In addition to the ants on display at the Ann Norton Sculpture Garden, warriors, seedpods, and sculpted clothing that mimic furniture were recently installed for the exhibition. Actual specimens inspired Cochran’s seedpods, including many that can be found in her back yard in Palm Beach where Cochran has been a life long resident. Cochran’s bronzes are noted for making us look at things we may have walked right by and take note of what we normally overlook.
“I created the seeds and nuts with an Ann Norton Sculpture Garden show in mind,” says Cochran. “I created the stick fighters because I wanted to learn how to create a sense of movement with bronze figures and our sports just didn't have the primitive elegance I wanted to portray.”
“We are delighted to sponsor Susie Cochran’s exhibition at the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens”, says Jonathan Cameron-Hayes, President of the Gentleman of the Gardens and the presenting sponsor of the exhibit, “Not only is this an opportunity for the community to see her tremendous talent but it is also a way for us to thank her for her support of the Garden, the Gentlemen of the Garden and many other local charitable events.”
Cochran has received international attention for her large-scale sculpture installations from prestigious art fairs such as The ArtForm International Fine Art Exposition, The Miami International Art Fair and The Palm Beach International Sculpture Biennale, as well as expositions in Chicago, New York and Santa Fe. Her work is also represented in numerous public and private collections, including those in the New York Fire Department Museum (New York), the Perry Ellis International Building (Miami), Jackson Hole (Wyoming), Maui (Hawaii), Bondville (Vermont) and Tallahassee (Florida).
Admission costs apply. If you would like to learn about the exhibit or more information on this topic, please call the Ann Norton Sculpture Garden at: 561.832.5328. To schedule an interview, please contact Linda Soper at (561) 835-9057 or email: linda@lindalanemarketing.com.
The Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens, Inc. is a recognized 501 (c) (3) operating foundation established in 1977 by the prominent sculptor Ann Weaver Norton (1905-1982). The gardens are conveniently located at 253 Barcelona Road, at the corner of Flagler Drive in West Palm Beach, FL. The rare palm and sculpture gardens, exhibition galleries and artist studio are currently open Wednesday-Sunday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
###
