Conceptual Sculptor Tom Friedman

Montserrat College of Art selected internationally known conceptual sculptor Tom Friedman as the 2013 commencement speaker. Friedman received an honorary doctor of fine arts from the college during Commencement ceremonies on May 17 at 10 am at the Cabot Street Cinema Theatre, 286 Cabot St., Beverly.

Friedman (b. 1965, Saint Louis, MO) makes extraordinary work that explores ideas of perception, logic and possibility. His often painstakingly rendered sculptures and works on paper inhabit the grey areas between the ordinary and the monstrous, the infinitesimal and the infinite, the rational and the uncanny. Friedman’s work is often deceptive, its handmade intricacy masked by a seemingly mass-produced or prefabricated appearance. His deadpan presentation implies content and form are seamless; expectations are overturned as the viewer slowly perceives that chasm between illusion and reality. Friedman's work has been internationally exhibited in galleries and museums, including solo exhibitions at the Museum of Modern Art, New York; the Fondazione Prada, Milan; Magasin 3 Stockholm Konsthall; the South London Gallery, and numerous other institutions.

“We are extremely honored to have an artist of Mr. Frieidman’s caliber speaking to our graduates,” said Stephen D. Immerman, president of the college. “His successful career and record of exhibitions both in the US and abroad will be inspirational to our community. We are excited to welcome him to the campus and to the North Shore.”

The Class of 2013 selected Prof. Fred Lynch, Chair of the Illustration Department, to serve as the faculty speaker at commencement and Ariell Jones was named student speaker. Jones majored in Sculpture and minored in Creative Writing.

Immediately following commencement, students and guests were invited to the Beverly Common, next to the Hardie Building, for an outdoor reception hosted by the Montserrat community. The Montserrat Gallery was open for viewing of the 2013 All Senior Show at the college's main campus building at 23 Essex Street.

A Montserrat merchandise pop-up store was open at the Hardie building for purchases. Click here to view merchandise.

For further information contact Jo Broderick
jo.broderick@montserrat.edu, 978.867.9613

Artwork:
TOM FRIEDMAN
Green Demon (detail), 2008
Expanding insulation foam and mixed media
91 x 43 x 36 inches