Work
From the time he graduated with his M.F.A., Beck made formalist, abstract, large scale sculpture in the manner of his abstract-expressionist training and began to establish his reputation as a sculptor. His earliest pieces were largely made of found metals and objects assembled in a lyrical, yet humorous manner. He was also (with Tom Robbins and others) part of the Shazam Society which produced performance and "happenings". He accumulated many awards and honors and his first Art in Public Places commission (1971), which would have placed a fountain in Pioneer Square at Occidental Park. That piece was never realized, but between 1975 and 1980 he won three other major commissions for work to be installed at Golden Gardens Park, Highline Community College and the King County International Airport.
Though raised in Seattle, away from his mother's tribal heritage, in the mid-70's, Beck visited the Alaskan coast and for the first time began to understand the spirit-filled Yup'ik culture. In 1973, Beck developed a new series of minimalist pieces that he entitled "Inukshuk" which is Inuit for sculptural presence (such as, a stone landmark). This term was also used for the three major commissions that followed. The introduction of Inuit terminology was the first sign that Beck was consciously bringing his multi-cultural heritage into his work. He experimented with casting several small masks, based on traditional Inuit forms, in aluminum and bronze, but he was still uncomfortable with the fact that the masks represented a complete contradiction to his western art training. This and peer group pressure kept him doing abstract work.
After the 1980 installation of his major commission at the King County Airport, Beck experienced what he would call his sculpture career crisis. He became disenchanted with public art. Many artists of the times were losing interest in non-objective forms—Beck was not alone in seeking subjects that spoke specifically to his existential needs. The years of research into his family history and a desire to integrate his Alaskan awareness into his art finally led to his commitment to making masks – modern interpretations of traditional Inuit spirit forms – leaving the world of large, abstract public art commissions behind.
As native Alaskan artists had gleaned inspiration and materials from the shores of Norton Sound, Beck scoured his urban environment – junkyards, hardware stores, the local five and dime – for the raw materials for his masks.
Old rearview mirrors, baby moon hubcaps, discarded whitewall tires, surplus airplane rivets, kitchen implements, even kids' toys became part of the masks that eventually brought him international acclaim. Beck used the word "Inua" in titling his masks. This is the native term for "spirit" and it was his hope that each mask was imbued with enough Inua to satisfy the spirit debt he felt was owed to his Inuit heritage.
Papers and photos from Beck's estate are in the Archives of the National Museum of the American Indian of the Smithsonian Institution.
Read more about this topic: Lawrence James Beck
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