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Spanish Castle RAM
"Spanish Castle," by Ryan McCourt, on display in the North Edmonton Sculpture Workshop's first "Big Things" exhibition, at the Royal Alberta Museum in 2002.
Big Things 2
Installation view of sculptures by Royden Mills, Peter Hide, Ryan McCourt, and Ken Macklin, in the North Edmonton Sculpture Workshop's "Big Things 2" exhibition at the Royal Alberta Museum in 2003.
Bigthings3
Poster image for the North Edmonton Sculpture Workshop's "Big Things 3" exhibition at the Royal Alberta Museum in 2004.
Big Things 4 east
Installation view of sculptures by Andrew French, Royden Mills, Ryan McCourt, and Bianca Khan, in the North Edmonton Sculpture Workshop's 2006 "Big Things 4" exhibition at the Royal Alberta Museum.

Big Things was a series of art shows in Canada. These shows featured huge steel sculptures. The North Edmonton Sculpture Workshop organized them. They were displayed on the outdoor terrace of the Royal Alberta Museum.

The goal of "Big Things" was to show people the amazing world of modern steel art. It also helped artists share their ideas and talk about their work.

The First Big Things Show (2002)

The very first Big Things exhibition happened in 2002. It was a new kind of show for the Royal Alberta Museum. It featured nine large, abstract steel sculptures.

Tim Willis, who worked at the museum, said that showing abstract art was not their usual thing. But he noted how art can make a public space feel special. Artist Ryan McCourt helped choose the museum as the location. He felt it was a great place for art. The museum's big stone front and open terrace were perfect for viewing large sculptures.

Some of the sculptures shown included:

  • Tilley by Mark Bellows
  • Valour and Cowardice by Andrew French
  • Radiant by Peter Hide
  • Midway by Ken Macklin
  • The Moment You've Been Waiting For and Spanish Castle by Ryan McCourt
  • Almost Whole by Royden Mills
  • From the Model by Susan Owen Kagan

Big Things 2 (2003)

The first show was very popular. It was supposed to end in the summer but stayed open until May 2003. Then, Big Things 2 opened right away! This second show ran from May 6, 2003, to April 30, 2004.

Big Things 2 featured sculptures by most of the same artists. Susan Owen Kagan's work was not in this show.

Some of the artworks displayed were:

  • Florence by Andrew French
  • Modernist Man by Peter Hide
  • Easter Sunday by Ken Macklin
  • Inside Elevation by Royden Mills
  • Solus by Ryan McCourt

Big Things 3 (2004)

Big Things 3 followed the second show. It was open from May 8, 2004, to April 30, 2005. The same group of artists showed their work again.

The sculptures in this exhibition included:

  • Moorshead by Ken Macklin
  • Hindu Lion by Peter Hide
  • French Riviera by Andrew French
  • Bassinet by Royden Mills
  • Arma by Mark Bellows
  • Overture by Ryan McCourt

Big Things 4 (2006)

The fourth show, Big Things 4, ran from June 3 to October 1, 2006. This exhibition featured sculptures by some new artists.

The sculptures included:

  • Petra by Simon Black
  • Truth and Falsehood by Andrew French
  • Leviathan by Peter Hide
  • Caesura by Bianca Khan
  • Destroyer of Obstacles by Ryan McCourt
  • Between Premonition by Royden Mills
  • Trojan Yak Genera by Robert Willms
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