Artist
Barry Tinsley
Title
Aqua
Year
1998
Acquisition Category
State of Illinois Art-in-Architecture Program
Artwork Type
Sculpture
Artwork Material
Bronze, granite
Designation
N/A
Artwork Location
Visibility
Outdoor
Location
Science Laboratory Building (SLB)
Location Description
Located at the southwest entrance of the Science Laboratory Building
Campus Zone
East
Donor
N/A
How It Purchased
Commissioned through the State of Illinois Art-in-Architecture Program
Identification Plaque
N/A
Description
Aqua was created by former Illinois State art professor Barry Tinsley. The 10-x-12-foot triangular granite and bronze sculpture represents the ancient alchemy symbol for water, a major compound in all living things and a primary component in the function and study of biology and chemistry. Tinsley, who is well known for his large steel and concrete sculptures, has completed more than 30 commissioned pieces and considers Aqua to be his most successful realization of art in conjunction with a site. This is the second sculpture on campus that was created by Tinsley. His other artwork, Untitled, is located on the southeast lawn between the Center for Visual Arts and Centennial West. Several of Tinsley’s sculptures are installed throughout the Midwest.
Reference Sources
- “Artist: Barry Tinsley.” Smithsonian American Art Museum. Accessed November 10, 2021. https://americanart.si.edu/artist/barry-tinsley-4816
- Funk, Tara. “Campus art reveals campus history.” Vidette Online (Normal, IL). September 21, 2006. https://www.videtteonline.com/campus-art-reveals-campus-history/article_03eca0e2-8ea6-5b7c-b2dd-46dfe66e5053.html
- “Heavy art: Sculpture erected at ISU.” The Vidette (Normal, IL). November 27, 1973. https://videttearchive.ilstu.edu/?a=d&d=vid19731127-01.2.4&e=——-en-20–1–txt-txIN——-
- Meckstroth, Steve, and Mark Schmitt. Campus art: A walking tour of selected artwork on the campus of Illinois State University. Normal: University Marketing and Communications, 2003.