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Off on His Own by Maggi Giles
44
Running Head
Mayo Clin Proc, January 2001, Vol 76
Art at Mayo Clinic Off on His Own by Maggi Giles
B
orn in 1938 in England, Maggi Giles studied drawing before she moved to the Netherlands in 1965, where she designed and executed industrial ceramics. Giles’ work is readily distinguished from other Dutch ceramists because of her unique use of juxtaposed bright colors of blue, orange, yellow, and green, intensified and separated by black lines. Most of Giles’ creatures originate from stories she has written and illustrated about creation and the world. While exploring life, her humorous creatures strive to comprehend their surroundings. Giles’ family of cats provided the inspiration for Off on His Own, executed in 1987. Her trademark of vivid colors is evident in this playful porcelain sculpture. Although the sculpture is a feline, other animal shapes are noticeable. The green left eye, reminiscent of a friendly worm peeking curiously at the world, is in contrast to the yellow right eye encircled in blue, which is wide open and appears to be wary of the surroundings. His brown zig-
zagged lips seem to express cartoonish perplexity. The cat’s green front legs strike a friendly pose, whereas his crouched brown rear legs appear ready to pounce. The orange body resembles a bottle, with an almost uddershaped anatomy containing several large white circles, representation of which is uncertain. The upper back of the cat looks like that of a cow, except for attached shapes, some of which could be hair standing on end. His green vertical tail with its clawlike tip possibly shows that this feline is protecting its territory. Off on His Own, measuring 183 by 76 cm, consists of contrasting images that parallel contrasting colors. However, it is not a startling piece of art. Children would see the fantasylike figure and want to touch it, pet it as if it were a real kitty. Off on His Own, which is hanging in the Mayo Building subway, is a gift from Dr and Mrs Meyer Marks. Framed sketches and notes that led to the finished piece of art hang on the opposite wall.
In recognition of the important part that art has had in the Mayo Clinic environment since the original Mayo Clinic building was finished in 1914, the Mayo Clinic Proceedings will feature some of the numerous works of art displayed throughout the buildings on the Mayo Clinic campus in Rochester, Minn. Adapted by Ann M. Sullivan, BS, ELS, from a plaque hanging next to the sculpture. Mayo Clin Proc. 2002;77:44
44
© 2002 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
For personal use. Mass reproduce only with permission from Mayo Clinic Proceedings.
Running Head
Mayo Clin Proc, January 2001, Vol 76
Art at Mayo Clinic Off on His Own by Maggi Giles
B
orn in 1938 in England, Maggi Giles studied drawing before she moved to the Netherlands in 1965, where she designed and executed industrial ceramics. Giles’ work is readily distinguished from other Dutch ceramists because of her unique use of juxtaposed bright colors of blue, orange, yellow, and green, intensified and separated by black lines. Most of Giles’ creatures originate from stories she has written and illustrated about creation and the world. While exploring life, her humorous creatures strive to comprehend their surroundings. Giles’ family of cats provided the inspiration for Off on His Own, executed in 1987. Her trademark of vivid colors is evident in this playful porcelain sculpture. Although the sculpture is a feline, other animal shapes are noticeable. The green left eye, reminiscent of a friendly worm peeking curiously at the world, is in contrast to the yellow right eye encircled in blue, which is wide open and appears to be wary of the surroundings. His brown zig-
zagged lips seem to express cartoonish perplexity. The cat’s green front legs strike a friendly pose, whereas his crouched brown rear legs appear ready to pounce. The orange body resembles a bottle, with an almost uddershaped anatomy containing several large white circles, representation of which is uncertain. The upper back of the cat looks like that of a cow, except for attached shapes, some of which could be hair standing on end. His green vertical tail with its clawlike tip possibly shows that this feline is protecting its territory. Off on His Own, measuring 183 by 76 cm, consists of contrasting images that parallel contrasting colors. However, it is not a startling piece of art. Children would see the fantasylike figure and want to touch it, pet it as if it were a real kitty. Off on His Own, which is hanging in the Mayo Building subway, is a gift from Dr and Mrs Meyer Marks. Framed sketches and notes that led to the finished piece of art hang on the opposite wall.
In recognition of the important part that art has had in the Mayo Clinic environment since the original Mayo Clinic building was finished in 1914, the Mayo Clinic Proceedings will feature some of the numerous works of art displayed throughout the buildings on the Mayo Clinic campus in Rochester, Minn. Adapted by Ann M. Sullivan, BS, ELS, from a plaque hanging next to the sculpture. Mayo Clin Proc. 2002;77:44
44
© 2002 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
For personal use. Mass reproduce only with permission from Mayo Clinic Proceedings.