Iconic Charleston Sculptor Willard Hirsch (1905-1982) Honored at Gibbs Museum of Art

In 1979, Sculptor Willard Hirsch viewed his bronze -"Stephan"at his
Gibbs Museum of Art retrospective exhibition
 curated by Martha R. Severens

Willard N. Hirsch "Charleston's Sculptor" (1905-1982) is being honored by an exhibition at the Gibbs Museum of Art and the release of a new book of his work spanning a career of over 50 years.

At the preview reception for the 2012 exhibition "Willard Hirsch: Charleston's Sculptor", Jane Elizabeth Hirsch and Jacob Alexander Hirsch, Hirsch's children, spoke about their father's lasting contributions to Charleston and it's arts community. They noted that in addition to completing numerous public and private sculptural works, Mr. Hirsch was a pioneer of fine art instruction in Charleston and founding member of the Charleston Artist Guild.

A new book "Art Is a Powerful Language  Willard Hirsch-The Man, The Artist" has been published in conjunction with the 2012 exhibition. The book, compiled by Jane Hirsch, includes essays by art historian and former Gibbs Museum of Art curator of collections Martha R. Severens, wild life painter Anne Worsham Richardson, family members, friends and students. In addition, the volume is filled with impressive, high definition photographs by Douglas Pinkerton illustrating the beauty and diversity of Mr. Hirsch's sculpture.

The book "Art Is a Powerful Language Willard Hirsch-The Man, The Artist" compiled by Jane Elizabeth Hirsch is available at the Gibbs Museum of Art Museum Store and from the publisher, HomeHouse Press.

The exhibition "Willard Hirsch: Charleston's Sculptor" is on view at the Gibbs Museum of Art 135 Meeting St. Charleston SC from September 21-December 30, 2012.

Additional essays in the blog about Willard Hirsch link here.