Charles Ginnever

(American, b. 1931)
Troika, 1979
Cor-ten steel; 156 x 192 x 144 inches

Applying principle of abstract expressionist painting to sculptural forms helps Charles Ginnever manipulate perspectives. Troika appears to flatten and expand in space as the viewer moves around it, making it a complex work of sculptural illusion. The environmental work gives the illusion of two interlocking cubes. The parallelogram shaped place, in the central portion of the piece, serves a dual function. This can be noted while walking around the piece. The plane is necessary in completing or altering a variety of different geometric perspectives. This puzzle allows an interesting interaction between viewer and art as the viewer tries to solve the problem of how the pieces are made and understood in the distortion. Comprised of negative and positive spaces that invite viewing from multiple direction, Troika incorporating the surroundings into the sculpture. Ginnever gives unity to sculptures by bringing complexities into balance. His subtleties often look self-contained or even isolated at first glance. Ginnever received his BA from the San Francisco Art Institute, and furthered his studies by traveling around Europe studying under artists such as Stanley W Hayter, and Ossip Zadkine. He then went on to receive his MFA from Cornell University. Ginnever is the winner of the John Simon Guggenheim fellowship in 1974, the National Endowment of the Arts artist grant, and other such awards. In 1967 he purchased a farm a Vermont where he lives and works. Troika was purchased by the chancellor’s art committee of UH in 1979.

Location

University of Houston
Science & Engineering Classroom Building
North Exterior

Perception | Art Walk with Mike Guidry

Explore Linda Howard and Charles Ginnever with Mike Guidry as he talks about perception.

Spotlight | Charles Ginniver

(August 2021) There’s a work I’m drawn to at my home campus of the University of Houston, called Troika (1979) by abstract expressionist Charles Ginnever