This Friday, internationally renowned sculptor Karen LaMonte is coming to give an artist talk in 2019 Morrill Hall from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. LaMonte’s art has been displayed in Ames since 2018 in various locations including Morrill Hall, the Brunnier Art Museum and the Anderson Sculpture Garden. 

LaMonte’s work ranges from monotype prints to stone sculptures. Most of her art captures the female body and human structure utilizing glass, ceramic, bronze, iron, paper and marble.

“The way LaMonte captures the figure without the body being present in a sculpture is a really beautiful way of highlighting textile and clothing,” Sydney Marshall, an art curator for University Museums, said.

Although she is originally from New York City, LaMonte gathered most of the inspiration for her art during a Fulbright in Prague in 1999. She now has a studio in Prague, where she lives, but is not contained. LaMonte spends most of her time diving into the tradition and craft of the surrounding European countries.

“I am lucky in that because I live in Europe and am moving around quite a bit for work, I get to visit the ‘greatest hits’ but also the smaller regional museums which have equally interesting collections,” LaMonte said.

There’s much more to Europe than just the Louvre. As she explores the smaller collections, LaMonte learns more about the world of art in Europe and continues to refine her voice.

One of her works from the collection “Nocturne 5” can be found permanently in Morrill Hall. You can’t miss the enchanting presence of this life-size work of art. Iowa State University is one of just over 40 locations where her creations live, spanning across the entire United States and some of Western Europe.

If you’re interested in meeting LaMonte or learning more about her work, attend her artist talk this Friday. LaMonte says she hopes to “spark curiosity and inspire endeavor.”