Outdoor Sculptures
The two outdoor sculptures located at the Stanford Redwood City campus were created by Charles Ginnever.
About the Artist
Charles Ginnever (1931-2019) was an American artist primarily known for his large outdoor minimalist sculptures. The Three Graces and Chicago Triangles are premier examples of his work, which are generally based on geometric forms and often question the traditional definition of sculpture as a form that exhibits three-dimensional weight and mass. As one moves around these works, the forms change and each angle creates a new composition. Ginnever’s interest in the importance of perspective to the history of Western art informs much of his practice.
Though he lived and worked in Vermont, Ginnever had Bay Area roots. Born in San Mateo, he attended the San Francisco Art Institute (then the California School of Fine Arts), studying photography and sculpture. After completing his MFA from Cornell University in 1959, Ginnever began working alongside other significant artists in the greater New York area such as Allan Kaprow, Walter de Maria, Mark di Suvero, and Eva Hesse. His work is held in collections internationally: the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Nelson Atkins Museum, and Australian National Gallery, are a few examples.