If you have walked down the halls in the first floor of the Woodland building in February at Penn State Abington, you more than likely saw the statue, white painted cans and golden rods that fill the art gallery. That exhibition was called “The Best of All Possible Worlds” by the Drexel University sculpture professor Lewis Colburn.
Beginning with just woodworking and architecture, Colburn quickly transitioned his focus to sculpture while taking undergraduate classes at St. Olaf Liberal Arts College. Now showcasing his work for the world to see, ranging from artist-run studios in Philadelphia to across the country in Los Angeles, Calif., and even across the globe in China, Colburn delivers contemporary art with inspiration from deep historical meaning.
In a one-on-one interview with Colburn, I learned that he began that working on this piece in August of 2018 with a replication of Apollo Belvedere, and that there is problematic history hiding behind this beautiful Greek art, going into more detail, he explained that the idea of “white male beauty” creates yet another racist issue, a part of the history in a country we don’t ever deem being problematic.
Digging more deeply, he realized that there was more than meets the eye for many objects such as these sculptures, other than just art.
Colburn stated that “so much of [my] work comes from what is readily available to [me].” Using molds of “street trash” such as cans, old coffee cups and bottles found while walking around neighborhoods, he completed the piece that was on display.
Those seeking a deeper look into Lewis Colburn’s “The Best of All Possible Worlds” sculpture simply took a step into the Penn State Abington Art Gallery during the exhibition.
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