ST. PETERSBURG, FLA.- Discover how a sculptor’s hands rework the world, refining form and shaping space as The Dali presents the special exhibition Memory, Mind, Matter: The Sculpture of Eduardo Chillida. Opened this Saturday, May 13, and on display through September 24, 2017, the exhibit features world-renowned Spanish sculptor Eduardo Chillida’s works in paper, alabaster, steel and stone. More than 60 works are on display including 16 sculptures, a large-scale wall mural, numerous drawings and ‘gravitations,’ the artist’s unique approach to paper collage. This is the Museum’s first exhibition dedicated to sculpture since the opening of its new building in 2011.

Following the emotive Frida Kahlo at The Dali – The Dali’s most visited exhibit in its history – the Chillida show continues the Museum’s tradition of contextualizing its permanent Salvador Dali collection through the exhibition of artists with an aesthetic or historical kinship to Dali. “Eduardo Chillida’s early work was nourished by Surrealism and by the concerns of artists including Giacometti and Kandinsky for the enigmatic interconnection of body and spirit.” said Executive Director of The Dali, Dr. Hank Hine.

This Chillida exhibition explores the artist’s interest in space and organic form. Whether he was working on massive sculpture or delicate collage, he created careful, balanced compositions. “Chillida’s sculpture and drawings exude a poetic elegance. The Dali Museum is proud to present this major figure of post-war art,” said William Jeffett, co-curator of the exhibition. “As an artist known for monumental sculptures in public environments, this exhibit provides visitors the unique opportunity to view a robust selection of his work in many media, without having to travel around the globe.”

In addition to co-curating this exhibition, The Dali and the Chillida Leku (the foundation for Chillida’s work) also collaborated to develop a publication authorized by Eduardo Chillida years ago. The artist admired the architecture of the great American architect Louis Kahn. Dali Museum Director Hank Hine selected brief writings by Kahn which were printed along with etching plates by Chillida. The hand-made, limited edition book, titled “The Shadow Belongs to Light,” will be displayed for the first time in this exhibition.

Also in conjunction with the exhibition, the Museum will host a variety of programs inspired by Chillida, such as films & lectures, and will create connections to the local sculpture scene. The Museum Store offers the exhibition catalog as well as a variety of Chillida-inspired merchandise reminiscent of the shapes formed within his work. A complimentary audio guide accompanies the exhibition and as always, Museum admission includes access to all galleries, including this special exhibit, plus free access to the gardens, children’s activity room and theater. In the Museum’s Cafe Gala, Basque-inspired specials are being offered throughout the run of the exhibit including items such as grilled white asparagus salad, assortments of Basque cheeses and Kalimotxo – the traditional Basque drink of wine and cola.

“Memory, Mind, Matter: The Sculpture of Eduardo Chillida” is co-organized by The Dali Museum and Museo Chillida-Leku, in collaboration with the Meadows Museum at SMU, Dallas. “Memory, Mind, Matter: The Sculpture of Eduardo Chillida” is curated by William Jeffett and Ignacio Chillida.