Title unknown (sculptural painting)
Artist
Orval F. Hempler
(United States, 1915 - 1994)
Date20th century
MediumGlazed earthenware
DimensionsH x W x D: 21 x 21 1/8 x 5/8 in. (53.3 x 53.7 x 1.6 cm)
FRAME (PRIMARY): 22 x 21 3/4 x 1 in. (55.9 x 55.2 x 2.5 cm)
FRAME (SECONDARY): 29 7/8 x 29 3/8 x 1 3/4 in. (75.9 x 74.6 x 4.4 cm)
FRAME (PRIMARY): 22 x 21 3/4 x 1 in. (55.9 x 55.2 x 2.5 cm)
FRAME (SECONDARY): 29 7/8 x 29 3/8 x 1 3/4 in. (75.9 x 74.6 x 4.4 cm)
Object TypeCeramics
Credit LineKSU, Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art, bequest of Orval F. Hempler Estate
Object number1994.37
On View
Not on viewWhile not titled, the design of Hempler’s ceramic piece is evocative of a spiral galaxy – perhaps our galaxy, the Milky Way, or the Andromeda Galaxy, which is the farthest point of the universe visible to the unaided human eye. Spiral galaxies are shaped like discs with a bulge in the middle and have luminous spiral arms. They contain plenty of gasses to form new stars.
Catalogues from Hempler’s exhibitions of his sculptured paintings in the 1960s reference other works with heavenly themes, including “Solar” and “Lunar Probe.”
Exhibitions
