Milwaukee Art Museum Unveils Robert Indiana’s The American LOVE Sculpture at Special Event

  • The Museum will celebrate the installation of Robert Indiana’s iconic The American LOVE (1966-99) sculpture with an unveiling on the East End.

Milwaukee, Wis. – August 8, 2019 – The Milwaukee Art Museum will celebrate Robert Indiana’s iconic The American LOVE (1966–99) sculpture during a special Grand Unveiling event Sept. 5, 2019. The community celebration will highlight the gift of the sculpture to the institution and its installation outdoors near the Museum’s East End patio, facing Lake Michigan. 

The American LOVE (1966–99) was previously on display during Sculpture Milwaukee 2018 and then donated to the Museum’s Collection, thanks to the support of an anonymous donor and the Greater Milwaukee Foundation

“The Milwaukee Art Museum is thrilled to receive this iconic sculpture for the collection,” said Margaret Andera, interim chief curator and curator of contemporary art, Milwaukee Art Museum. “Robert Indiana’s work has always connected with Milwaukee; his design for the MECCA floor in the 1970s is a Milwaukee icon, and now the LOVE sculpture’s prominent location on the lakefront will allow both locals and Museum visitors to enjoy his work for years to come.”

The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. in Lubar Auditorium with Joe Martin Lin-Hill, deputy director of the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, who will discuss Robert Indiana and his career. The unveiling of the installed sculpture on the East End will take place at 6:45 p.m.

The sponsorship by Meijer of Meijer Free First Thursday makes admission to both events, and the entire Museum, free all day for everyone.  

“Sculpture Milwaukee is honored to have community partners who are helping build a world-class legacy of sculpture in the city, which includes the donation of Robert Indiana’s LOVE to the Milwaukee Art Museum,” said Marilu Knode, director, exhibitions and programs, Sculpture Milwaukee. “Thanks to our donors, the Milwaukee Art Museum team and all the other supporters of Sculpture Milwaukee for bringing these amazing works to our robust arts community.”

In conjunction with The American LOVE (1966–99) unveiling, a number of works by Robert Indiana from the Museum’s Collection will be on view in the K108 Gallery, including Indiana’s study for the MECCA floor, color screenprints and an important early wood sculpture. 

“Friends of Art is thrilled to support the official unveiling of the iconic LOVE sculpture by Robert Indiana. This highly recognizable piece is a welcomed addition to the Milwaukee Art Museum’s collection,” said Annette Melcher, president, Friends of Art. “We hope that members of our museum and community will join us in celebrating this milestone, and recognize how fortunate we are to have this amazing piece of art to enhance the Museum’s reputation.” 

The lecture is sponsored by the Contemporary Art Society. OnMilwaukee is the media sponsor. 

The community celebration is made possible by the support of the Milwaukee Art Museum’s Friends of Art support group.

Exhibitions are made possible by the Milwaukee Art Museum’s Visionaries including Debbie and Mark Attanasio, Donna and Donald Baumgartner, John and Murph Burke, Sheldon and Marianne Lubar, Joel and Caran Quadracci, Sue and Bud Selig and Jeff Yabuki and the Yabuki Family Foundation.