Terry Adkins

This publication highlights the work of prolific American sculptor and performance artist Terry Adkins (1953-2014), who synthesized a deep interest in history with an improvisational approach to art-making, producing an expansive body of work that often reflects on the legacies of unsung figures in American culture.

Terry Adkins: Resounding traces the artist’s development over his more than three-decade career with nearly 50 works across a variety of mediums including sound, sculpture, video and printmaking. The book includes rarely shown examples from Adkins’s early work alongside some of his most celebrated pieces, bringing together selections from several acclaimed installations for the first time since their debuts. In addition, the catalog presents a range of items that the artist collected, including books, musical instruments and objects from various artistic traditions. This collection gives new insight into the breadth of Adkins’ literary, musical and visual influences.

The work of American sculptor and musician Terry Adkins (1953–2014) often started with a theme or idea, illuminated by sculptural components that sometimes housed a performative element. The performative and sculptural aspects of his practice evolved in tandem, and utilized materials that had likely served another purpose, be they instruments, materials from his printmaking experiences or locally sourced items.

This catalog accompanies Lévy Gorvy's first solo exhibition of Adkins' works, exploring the materiality of his sculptures. The exhibition was curated by Charles Gaines, a celebrated artist and longtime friend and collaborator of Adkins', who contributes an essay to this publication that explores the experience of viewing Adkins' sculptures. Also included are an essay by Michael Brenson and newly commissioned poetry by Robin Coste Lewis.