Western Gallery Gets Grant to Restore Donald Judd ‘Untitled 1982’ Sculpture
The Western Gallery at Western Washington University has received a $132,000 grant to restore the Donald Judd sculpture ‘Untitled 1982,” part of the university’s acclaimed sculpture collection.
The grant is from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), which is the primary source of federal support for the nation's libraries and museums.
“This generous grant makes it possible for us to bring a sculpture of national and historical importance back to Western. It is the mission of the IMLS Museums for America grant program to help museums serve their publics, and the Judd sculpture is of great value not only to the campus community and Whatcom County but to everyone who is interested in the development of contemporary art,” said Hafthor Yngvason, director of the Western Gallery.
Donald Judd is widely regarded as one of the most significant American artists of the post-war period. His sculptures and installations, intended to emphasize the purity of the objects themselves rather than symbolic meaning, have come to define Minimalism – one of the historically significant art movements of the 20th century.
Judd is perhaps best known today for the large scale outdoor installations at his ranch and museum in Marfa, Texas. WWU’s Judd sculpture, “Untitled 1982,” exemplifies his epoch-making Minimalist approach. “Untitled 1982” is a rare example of his large scale work outside of Marfa – being one of only four sculptures to be installed permanently in public places throughout the United States. It is also Judd’s only Corten steel sculpture to be on public view in this country.
“Untitled 1982” has been a part of the sculpture collection at Western since 1982, but was removed from campus in 2014 due to serious rusting damage to the Corten steel sculpture. Thorough restoration can be achieved by repairing and reusing three of the sculpture’s six panels and re-fabricating the three remaining panels. This approach has been endorsed by the Judd Foundation, which holds the copyright to the original work.
When the sculpture returns to campus, it will be located at the south entry of campus adjacent to the Academic Instructional Center, where good drainage conditions and a natural wind tunnel will help maintain the long-term integrity of the Corten steel. Prominently placed on the accessible grounds of the university, the sculpture will again be available to the general public and provide a rare cultural resource to the region.
For almost four decades, Judd exhibited throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia, with major exhibitions at the Whitney Museum of American Art, New York (1968, 1988); the National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa (1975); Stedelijk Van Abbe-museum, Eindhoven (1970); and Tate Modern, London (2004). A major retrospective of Judd’s work is forthcoming at The Museum of Modern Art, New York.
The Institute of Museum and Library Services advances, supports, and empowers America’s museums, libraries, and related organizations through grant making, research, and policy development. The IMLS vision is a nation where museums and libraries work together to transform the lives of individuals and communities. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov and follow IMLS on Facebook and Twitter
Western’s sculpture collection plays an important role on campus by enhancing self-directed learning and creating and sustaining a rich artistic environment, as well as encouraging scholarly research and teaching through interpretation. But the benefits of restoration go beyond the immediate community. Since other Washington museums outside of Seattle focus on Northwest art, it is important to the whole state of Washington to maintain a strong national reference at Western. This is the founding vision for the sculpture collection, which is now considered one of the top campus art collections in the country.
For more information, contact: Chris Casquilho, Western Washington University’s College of Fine and Performing Arts manager of Marketing and Special Events at (360) 650-2829, or chris.casquilho@wwu.edu
