Distinguished Visiting Artist James Surls Family Gallery Guide

Find One, Find Two

Please Leave in Gallery

Distinguished Visiting Artist James Surls Family Gallery Guide

You might notice that James Surls uses the same pictures and shapes over and over again.

In art, a symbol is a picture or shape that has a special meaning.

Can you find one drawing and one sculpture in the gallery that look like each symbol? Remember, there is more than one ‘right’ answer!

FIND ONE, FIND TWO. Think about what eyes can do.

What does this symbol mean to you?

DID YOU KNOW? Surls likes the idea of his artwork being able to look back at us. He was inspired by knots on trees that reminded him of eyes. Have you seen something special while outdoors? Think about a trip to the zoo, a park, or in your own backyard!

FIND ONE, FIND TWO. Someone lives here; can you guess who?

What does this symbol mean to you?

DID YOU KNOW? James Surls grew up in a house that his father, a carpenter, built by hand. What is something that makes your home unique?

FIND ONE, FIND TWO. See the dots the artist drew?

What does this symbol mean to you?

DID YOU KNOW? James Surls believes that three is a magic number.

Look for dots and other patterns in groups of three.

What numbers are important to you? Think about your age, birthdate, or a favorite athlete’s jersey number.

FIND ONE, FIND TWO. Spirals can turn and whirl and move.

What does this symbol mean to you?

DID YOU KNOW? For Surls, the spiral represents energy and life because of the way it spins. What are some fun ways you like to get moving?

FIND ONE, FIND TWO. How do you think these flowers grew?

What does this symbol mean to you?

DID YOU KNOW? Surls used to spend hours walking through the woods and enjoying local flowers like the tiger lily. Have you seen flowers growing near where you live, play, or go to school? Do you have a favorite flower?

Covers Walking Through the Thorn Vine [detail], 2014 Bronze and stainless steel 135 x 133 x 64 in.

Spread Round Tipped Black Raw Wall Flower [detail], 2013 Burned basswood and raw steel 84 x 103 x 24 in.