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<\/p>\nChancellor Roger Brown introduced artist John Henry at the dedication of Henry\u2019s creation \u201cSky Toucher,\u201d a ten-foot painted aluminum sculpture located in Lansing Court outside the UTC University Center. This gift of outdoor sculpture comes from the collection of Ruth S. and A. William Holmberg, Jr.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy work is about the public, the built environment, the urban landscape, and indeed the notion that the strong abstract\/non-objective statement can indeed speak globally,\u201d Henry said.<\/p>\n
Henry spoke of the controversy surrounding public art, or art in public places generally defined today as supported by public funds. He acknowledged the ongoing debate which questions the appropriateness of public funded arts projects, dating back to 1965 when Congress established the National Endowment for the Arts.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is also a lively debate as to the structure or makeup of art in public places programs and indeed, the selection process. The notion that a few should decide what the many must look at for generations is a thorny issue. However, history more often than not supports the practice of the selection of strong, bold individual statements by artists who are obviously not chosen by any kind of plebiscite,\u201d Henry said.<\/p>\n
Saying the gift of art to an institution can often be a \u201cwin, win, win situation,\u201d Henry described the giver\u2019s \u201csatisfaction of sharing something of value to them, with a larger community.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe recipient has the opportunity to enhance its own environment, and the work as well as the artist has a new opportunity for an expanded audience. The work can even be said to have an altogether new life.<\/p>\n
\u2018Sky Toucher\u2019s\u2019 new life begins here today at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga thanks to my good friend Ruth Holmberg. I thank Ruth for having the vision to see \u2018Sky Toucher\u2019 on this campus and I thank the University for giving it a place of prominence,\u201d Henry said.<\/p>\n
Henry is known internationally for large-scale public works of art, found in museums, corporate, public and private collections as well as the collections of American cities and states. His works are also exhibited in the public collections of various European and Asian municipalities.<\/p>\n
He attended the University of Kentucky, University of Chicago and the Art Institute of Chicago, where he received a Ford Foundation grant, the Edward L Ryerson Fellowship and earned a BFA. He received an Honorary Doctor of Arts from the University of Kentucky in 1996.<\/p>\n
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![\"John](\"http:\/\/www.utc.edu\/Administration\/UniversityRelations\/news\/images\/jh\/2.jpg\")
\nChancellor Roger Brown and artist John Henry<\/p>\n
![\"John](\"http:\/\/www.utc.edu\/Administration\/UniversityRelations\/news\/images\/jh\/3.jpg\")
\nRuth Holmberg, center, speaks with guests at the reception following the dedication<\/p>\n
![\"John](\"http:\/\/www.utc.edu\/Administration\/UniversityRelations\/news\/images\/jh\/4.jpg\")
\nUTC Landscaping Committee member Linda Collins and John Henry<\/p>\n
![\"John](\"http:\/\/www.utc.edu\/Administration\/UniversityRelations\/news\/images\/jh\/5.jpg\")
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![\"John](\"http:\/\/www.utc.edu\/Administration\/UniversityRelations\/news\/images\/jh\/6.jpg\")
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![\"John](\"http:\/\/www.utc.edu\/Administration\/UniversityRelations\/news\/images\/jh\/7.jpg\")
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Chancellor Roger Brown introduced artist John Henry at the dedication of Henry\u2019s creation \u201cSky Toucher,\u201d a ten-foot painted aluminum sculpture located in Lansing Court outside the UTC University Center. This gift of outdoor sculpture comes from the collection of Ruth S. and A. William Holmberg, Jr. \u201cMy work is about the public, the built environment,… <\/p>\n