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Collectible Description

Shadow Dance was the first sculpture to be commissioned by the Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum for installation in the gardens. The sculpture is sited between an obelisk thatmarks the center of the lawn and the base of the bluff descending from the mansion. Made from willow branches and phragmite reeds, and tied together with jute twine, the entire design is structural. As described by Susan Barnett in the exhibition catalogue, “The work balances, not only as an integral structure but within the geometry of the formal gardens, poised between land and sky. The willow supports reach upward with crooked fingers while the horizontal ellipses ripple toward the edges of the garden, casting shadows below. The repeated ovals and circles suggest the infinite space beyond the garden gate. The sculpture dances.”

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Artist Biography

Roy Frank Staab: Sculptor of Ephemeral Landscapes

Roy Frank Staab (born September 9, 1941, Milwaukee, Wisconsin) stands as a singular figure in contemporary Earthworks sculpture—a movement that sought to engage directly with the natural world and explore its rhythms through monumental installations. His artistic journey began in Milwaukee’s Layton School of Art, where he honed his foundational skills before embarking on formative explorations abroad during the 1970s, primarily in France. This period instilled a deep appreciation for geometric precision combined with the unpredictable forces of nature—a duality that would become central to Staab's distinctive artistic vision. Staab’s early paintings and drawings reflected this fascination, utilizing sprayed watercolors to investigate the staining properties of water and its transformative impact on paper. He meticulously crafted line drawings on paper, prioritizing clarity and geometric form while subtly hinting at underlying complexities. This stylistic approach foreshadowed his later preoccupation with constructing site-specific sculptures from readily available natural materials—a practice rooted in a profound respect for place and time. The breakthrough came in 1983 with “Ocracoke Cartouche,” Staab’s inaugural sculptural endeavor executed on the tidal shore of Ocracoke Island, North Carolina. Utilizing driftwood, willow branches, and bamboo, he created an interlocking geometric form that responded to the shifting tides and sunlight—a testament to his belief in art as a dialogue with its environment. This pioneering work established Staab's commitment to Earthworks principles: employing natural materials, creating installations that evolve over time, and acknowledging the influence of geological forces on artistic expression. Throughout the 1980s and onward, Staab’s explorations extended across continents—Japan, Finland, Italy, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, France, Korea, Taiwan—each residency fueling his creative process and deepening his understanding of diverse ecosystems. His sculptures are characterized by their simplicity yet profound resonance, reflecting a deliberate effort to minimize intervention while maximizing engagement with the surrounding landscape. Installations like “Nature Belle” at Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum in Milwaukee and "Shadow Dance" commissioned for summer 2016 exemplify this approach—each piece meticulously crafted from local materials and designed to harmonize with its specific location. Staab’s artistic legacy rests on a singular conviction: that art can illuminate the interconnectedness of humanity and nature. His meticulous documentation through photography captures not only the sculptural forms themselves but also the subtle transformations they undergo as seasons change and light shifts—a visual record of his ongoing engagement with the ephemeral beauty of the Earth. Awards including the Wisconsin Visual Art Achievement Award, Pollock-Krasner Grant, Gottlieb Foundation Award, Joan Mitchell Award, New York Foundation for the Arts grant, and residencies at Sapporo Museum and Yokohama Museum of Art underscore Staab’s recognition as a visionary artist who has consistently championed environmental consciousness within his artistic practice. His work continues to inspire artists and viewers alike, reminding us that true creativity resides in embracing both precision and spontaneity—a harmonious blend reflected throughout his remarkable oeuvre.

roy frank staab

1941 - , United States of America

Quick Facts

Artistic Movement Or Style: Earthworks
Artists Or Movements Influenced By This Artist: ['Land Art']
Artists Who Influenced This Artist: ['Minimalism']
Date Of Birth: September 9, 1941
Full Name: Roy Frank Staab
Nationality: American
Notable Artworks:
- Shadow Dance
- Nature Belle
- Spring Ring
Place Of Birth: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Shadow Dance

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Roy Frank Staab: Sculptor of Ephemeral Landscapes