Harry Kivijarvi
(Finnish, 1931-2010)

"Stone", 1966

black granite
h. 16-1/2", w. 15", d. 9-1/2"

Provenance: Venice, XXXIII Biennale, Venice, Italy, 1966; Estate of Thomas B. Lemann, New Orleans, Louisiana.

Exhibited: Venice, XXXIII Biennale Exhibition of International Art, Finnish Pavilion, 1966, catalogue no. 28.

Notes: "Kivijarvi, the unpronouneceable Finn whose black marble stone sits in our backyard pool, was at the Biennale in 1966 and is here again. I asked the sales girl if it was not unusual for somebody to make the Biennale twice, and she confirmed it is quite unusual though not unheard of. His prices too have gone up, but not astronomically."
- Thomas B. Lemann Travel Journals, 1972

The Finnish sculptor Kivijarvi was acclaimed for his large-scale carved stone monuments and memorials that emerge aggressively from the landscape. Initially trained as a painter at the Finnish Academy of the Arts, it was the years he spent in Rome at the Accademia di Belle Arti that encouraged him to experiment with bronze. These early sculptures were in many ways a three-dimensional extension of his figural work. It was not until the 60s, inspired by classical architecture, that he began to explore abstract sculptures, revisiting the same forms over the course of his career. In 1970, the same year the work offered here was created, he received the Pro-Finlandia medal.

Overall good condition. Exposed to elements with expected slight weathering to surface.