2008 Woodie Awards
Arts in Edwardsville - Sullivan Gallery
Sean J. Jordan
Issue date: 9/4/07 Section: A&E
Every day, students walk along the path between Lovejoy Library and Peck Hall, passing by a small courtyard where several pieces of architectural artwork are laid out on display. Students who stop to examine the artwork might notice its organic style, its flowery patterns and its distinctive arches.
This is the work of Louis H. Sullivan, and the SIUE campus is filled with his work and his influence.
Between now and Sept. 24, the Morris University Center art gallery is offering a special exhibit showcasing the work of Louis H. Sullivan. The exhibit includes photographs and ornamentation from many of the buildings he designed throughout the Midwest. The exhibit is open for several hours each day and is free for students, faculty and visitors to explore.
There is plenty more of Sullivan on campus. Lovejoy Library has a large display of Sullivan architecture on the southeast side of its second floor, including an elevator car and a diverse collection of ornamentation rescued from many of the buildings he designed. Other pieces can be viewed in the basement of Alumni Hall, and recreations of his stencil work are hanging in the Art & Design Building. The University Museum houses many more pieces of Sullivan's work.
In fact, according to University Museum Director Eric Barnett, SIUE has the largest Louis H. Sullivan collection in the entire world.
Sullivan is famous in the world of art and architecture for the lavish and unique ornamentations he designed for his buildings. He is known among architecture students today for his philosophy of "form follows function."
According to the exhibits and to Barnett, Louis H. Sullivan first became known for his work in the Chicago area. He also designed the Wainwright building in downtown St. Louis, a 10-story skyscraper considered remarkable at the time for the use of a steel skeleton to remove pressure from the building's bottom floors.
He was also one of renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright's primary influences. Wright worked for Sullivan as a draftsman for several years before beginning his own career. Sullivan's influence extended to Wright's personality as well. Barnett said Sullivan's arrogance rubbed off on his pupil, who was famously "hard-headed."
This is the work of Louis H. Sullivan, and the SIUE campus is filled with his work and his influence.
Between now and Sept. 24, the Morris University Center art gallery is offering a special exhibit showcasing the work of Louis H. Sullivan. The exhibit includes photographs and ornamentation from many of the buildings he designed throughout the Midwest. The exhibit is open for several hours each day and is free for students, faculty and visitors to explore.
There is plenty more of Sullivan on campus. Lovejoy Library has a large display of Sullivan architecture on the southeast side of its second floor, including an elevator car and a diverse collection of ornamentation rescued from many of the buildings he designed. Other pieces can be viewed in the basement of Alumni Hall, and recreations of his stencil work are hanging in the Art & Design Building. The University Museum houses many more pieces of Sullivan's work.
In fact, according to University Museum Director Eric Barnett, SIUE has the largest Louis H. Sullivan collection in the entire world.
Sullivan is famous in the world of art and architecture for the lavish and unique ornamentations he designed for his buildings. He is known among architecture students today for his philosophy of "form follows function."
According to the exhibits and to Barnett, Louis H. Sullivan first became known for his work in the Chicago area. He also designed the Wainwright building in downtown St. Louis, a 10-story skyscraper considered remarkable at the time for the use of a steel skeleton to remove pressure from the building's bottom floors.
He was also one of renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright's primary influences. Wright worked for Sullivan as a draftsman for several years before beginning his own career. Sullivan's influence extended to Wright's personality as well. Barnett said Sullivan's arrogance rubbed off on his pupil, who was famously "hard-headed."
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