TULSA, OKLA.- Philbrook Museum of Art has always been a great place for reflection and contemplation. That's especially true now thanks to a new site-specific installation in the Zink Rotunda by acclaimed artist Sharon Louden, on view through January 5, 2020.

Using highly reflective raw aluminum sheets along with colored aluminum strips, monofilament, steel screws, and glue, Louden and a dedicated group of artist installers created the work live in public view over the course of ten days.

This installation marks Louden’s first art installation in Oklahoma. Her work is held in major public and private collections including the Whitney Museum of American Art, National Gallery of Art, Neuberger Museum of Art, Arkansas Arts Center, Yale University Art Gallery, Weatherspoon Art Museum, and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.

Sienna Brown, Meinig Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art explains, “Sharon’s work dynamically responds to whatever is happening in the Rotunda. As people move through the space and the sun shifts, these will be physically reflected in the aluminum sheets. The audience’s experience of the installation will constantly change.”

The Zink Rotunda Exhibition Series began in 2017 with a yarn installation by Minneapolis-based artist HOTTEA and continued in 2018 with a textile installation by Tulsa Artist Fellow Rachel Hayes. The series brings a new contemporary artist to Philbrook each year to create a site-specific installation in the Museum’s Zink Rotunda

“Sharon resides at the busiest intersection of the art world itself, working as a curator, writer, thought leader, advocate, and most importantly, an artist,” said Philbrook Director Scott Stulen. “We are honored and excited to share her work at Philbrook.”

To celebrate the completion of the work and the public debut, Philbrook hosted an event called “Silver Social” in a nod to the installation materials. Philbrook Members and guests partied under the shimmering piece in an exclusive first look at the creation. Sharon will return to Tulsa several times in 2019 for various programs related to her work.

“I feel tremendous gratitude and am honored to be a guest at Philbrook and in Tulsa. As a guest I like to listen, to absorb information and experiences by others. I'm just grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this amazing community for a short time through my work. I hope people will have a feeling of inclusion from my installation,” says artist Sharon Louden.