Like Chords in a Song

Like chords in a song is how Bay Area sculptor Bruce Beasley sees the individual shapes in his work. Take Rondo I, a series of shining, nearly intertwined rings that invite interactions within the sculpture and with the natural environment surrounding it.

“The nature and the natural elements of the environment have a lot to do with how (Beasley) defines his sculptural shapes,” said Rebecca Schapp, director of the de Saisset museum. “This piece is really open, is airy, is circular and is really inviting the environment around it to carry a more prominent position.”

Since fall 2016, the sculpture’s permanent home has been the Mission Campus, next to the entrance of the de Saisset Museum. (That’s the sculptor and sculpture on campus, above.)

Photo by Joanne Lee

Beasley finds inspiration in what he calls “the building blocks of nature,” that is, the various forces that shape and sustain the universe. His work is internationally known and featured in major museum collections, including New York’s Museum of Modern Art, the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, and dozens of others. Thanks go to the artist himself and the de Saisset Museum for bringing this lovely piece here—part of the University’s vision to develop a prominent and robust public art collection for the enjoyment of the campus and wider community.

Sit and Remember

The de Saisset Museum, in partnership with the family of Paula Z. Kirkeby, is commissioning a bench from internationally-recognized artist Bruce Beasley in Paula’s honor. The bench will join the Museum’s permanent collection as part of our Public Art offerings, becoming a permanent feature on the Santa Clara University campus.

Kirkeby was a champion of the SCU arts scene and the de Saisset Museum. Since 1984 the de Saisset has held the Smith Andersen Editions Archive from the nationally recognized fine art press founded more than four decades ago by Kirkeby. Today, the de Saisset holds nearly 175 works from the Smith Andersen Editions Archive.

Beyond this connection, Kirkeby’s support of the de Saisset Museum was monumental. From personal donations, to introductions to other donors and artists, to serving on our Museum Enhancement Board and the SCU Public Art Committee, Kirkeby was deeply involved with the museum in so many ways.

To make a donation to this project, click here.