The bronze sculptures of Carol Brown Goldberg (selected quotes)

by Claudia Rousseau

They were created from “found” and “junked” objects. The original models were made from children’s blocks, old bottle corks, electric light switches, stripped wires, buttons, plumbing pipe, faucets, egg slicers, and various fixtures. Working in a rather childlike, imaginative state of mind, in each case, Brown assembled handfuls of these elements. Each small sized construction (all less than about 10” high) became anthropomorphic, without exception.

In addition to having antecedents in Brown’s own career, making “sculpture” by combining found or junked objects has a significant art historical pedigree, beginning with the work of Constructivist and especially Cubist/Surrealist works of the late 1920’s and early 30’s.

Comprised as they are of junk and oddments, the original assemblages present that interesting and even precious aspect of the stuff that fills our domestic environments. Their character is whimsical. The artist has called them “warm,” “joyful,” “innocent,” and perhaps, also loving?

Her work engages the viewer in a discourse about existence and consciousness, and on the dualities of nature and culture. Her “little people” express that theme in both a direct and intellectually intriguing manner.