GRAND RAPIDS, MI.- Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, the most significant sculpture and botanic experience in the Midwest and an emerging cultural destination on the national scene, is pleased to organize a major museum presentation of works by internationally acclaimed sculptor Patrick Dougherty. Beginning January 8, 2007 the sculptor will create a large-scale installation by carefully intertwining hundreds of tree saplings which were found in nearby landscapes. The exhibition, Patrick Dougherty is open January 26, 2007 through May 13, 2007.

Dougherty’s work has been installed across the country and around the world – most recently in Europe. His works have taken the shape of massive nests, cocoons, hives and lairs built by animals as well as huts, haystacks and baskets. No hardware is used in his constructions; there are only the saplings and the artist’s inclination to create. Known for his personal, down-to-earth nature, he often draws inspiration from both his surroundings as well as visitors who often return to see him and the progression of his brilliant sculptures.

During the month of January 2007 he will be building a large sculpture in the 3,000 square foot Balk Gallery. Throughout the exhibition guests can watch the development of the sculpture on closed circuit television at Meijer Gardens. Upon the work’s completion, a video featuring time-lapse photography from start-to-finish of Dougherty’s work and an interview with the artist will be played. Guests will also be able to view installation progress weekdays from Noon-1:30 PM in a special viewing area.

“Rather than existing simply for viewing, many of Dougherty’s sculptures present opportunities for reflection, contemplation and interaction,” said Dr. Joseph Becherer, Director of Exhibitions and Curator of the Sculpture Program at Meijer Gardens. “Dougherty’s large scale installations are generally physical places that can be entered, marking the movement when transitions and important life decisions are contemplated.”

With this sculptor’s work, there is only pre-meditated plan. He visits the site and relies on his own first impressions of the space. After testing various alternatives suggested by the site, he creates a series of word associations with the space in which he will be working – writing down whatever comes to mind. A series of thumbnail sketches are created which suggest the concepts that will spark his imagination at the time of installation. Most installations take two or three weeks.

“My affinity for trees as a material seems to come from a childhood spent wandering the forest around Southern Pines, North Carolina – a place with thick underbrush and many intersecting lines evident in the bare winter branches of trees,” said Dougherty. “When I turned to sculpture as an adult, I was drawn to sticks as a plentiful and renewable resource. I realized that saplings have an inherent method of joining – that is, sticks entangle easily. This snagging property is the key to working material into a variety of large forms.”