Don Gummer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Don Gummer
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Gummer in 2011
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Donald James Gummer
December 12, 1946 Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
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Donald James Gummer (born December 12, 1946) is an American sculptor. He is an artist who creates amazing sculptures.
He started by making smaller pieces that could sit on tables or hang on walls. Later, he began creating very large, free-standing sculptures. He often uses bronze for these big works. In the 1990s, he started using other materials too, like shiny stainless steel, aluminum, and colorful stained glass. He loves making large art pieces for public places, so many people can enjoy them.
He was married to the famous actress Meryl Streep. They separated in 2017.
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About Don Gummer's Art Style
Art experts say that Don Gummer's sculptures are inspired by a style called Constructivism. This art style often uses geometric shapes and industrial materials.
However, critics also note that Gummer adds his own unique touch to this style. His art feels very modern and fresh. His works bring new life to the classic ideas of abstract composition. Abstract art uses shapes, colors, and forms instead of showing things exactly as they look in real life.
Don Gummer's Early Life and Education
Don Gummer was born in Louisville, Kentucky, on December 12, 1946. He grew up in the state of Indiana. His parents were Dorothy Ann and William Adolph Gummer. He has five brothers.
He went to Ben Davis High School in Indianapolis. After high school, he studied art at the Herron School of Art from 1964 to 1966. Then, he continued his studies at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Massachusetts, from 1966 to 1970. He finished his art education at the Yale School of Art. There, he earned both his Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) and Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degrees. He learned from a well-known artist named David von Schlegell.
Don Gummer's Career as a Sculptor
Don Gummer had his very first solo art show in 1973. Since then, his sculptures have been shown in many solo exhibitions. These shows have taken place at museums and galleries across the East Coast and Midwest of the United States. His art has also been part of many group exhibitions with other artists.
Gummer has created several important sculptures for different places. One of his commissioned works is Primary Compass (2000). This is a large, permanent outdoor sculpture located at the Butler Institute of American Art in Youngstown, Ohio. He also created a sculpture and fountain in Historic New Harmony, New Harmony, Indiana.
Another notable sculpture is "The Optimist." This piece was placed at the entrance of the Preston Arts Center in Henderson, Kentucky, on September 30, 2001. It is made of cast stainless steel with a bronze base. The sculpture stands about 7 feet tall and weighs a lot. Gummer once said about this piece, "Fear and hate are no match for love and optimism."
In October 2004, the city of Indianapolis asked him to create a large sculpture. This piece, called Southern Circle, is made of stainless steel and stained glass. It stands 25 feet tall and weighs around 20,000 pounds. Another permanent artwork, "Primary Separation," was finished in 2006. It is located at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art.
Don Gummer's Family Life
Don Gummer married Peggy Jenel Lucas in 1967, but they divorced a short time later. He then married the famous actress Meryl Streep on September 30, 1978.
They have four children together. Their son, Henry Wolfe, is a musician. Their three daughters, Mamie, Grace, and Louisa, are all actresses. In October 2023, it was shared that Gummer and Streep had been separated for more than six years. They were last seen together in public in 2018.
Don Gummer and Meryl Streep are known for being very generous. They often donate money to support arts organizations and schools. Some of the places they have helped include Vassar College, the Opus School in Harlem, and the Silver Mountain Arts Foundation.
Where to See Don Gummer's Art
Don Gummer's sculptures are part of many public art collections. This means you can find his art in museums and other public spaces around the world. Here are some places where his work is displayed:
- The Mattatuck Museum, Waterbury, Connecticut
- The Butler Institute of American Art, Youngstown, Ohio, USA
- Chase Manhattan Bank, New York, USA
- Chemical Bank, New York, USA
- Evansville Museum of Arts, History and Science, Evansville, Indiana, USA
- Preston Arts Center, Henderson, Kentucky, USA
- The Equitable, New York, USA
- Hiroshima Lying-in Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan
- International Creative Management, New York, USA
- House of Music (1993) - Kitakyushu International Center, Kitakyushu, Japan
- Louisiana Museum, Humlebaek, Denmark
- McCrory Corporation, New York, USA
- Joseph E. Seagram Company, New York, USA
- Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, USA
- Cyberinfrastructure Building, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
- Open Eyes and The South Tower, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
See also
In Spanish: Don Gummer para niños
