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Grab (From Above)
Grab (From Above)
Left: 2022.18.1, Grab (From Above); Right: 2022.18.2, Grab (From Below)

Grab (From Above)

Artist Bob Trotman American, born 1947
Date2019
MediumBasswood, gold leaf, and casein paint
Dimensionsheight, width, and depth: 10 × 68 × 11 in. (25.4 × 172.7 × 27.9 cm)
ClassificationsSculpture
Credit LineGift of the artist
Object number2022.18.1
On View
On view
Label TextImitating Michelangelo’s The Creation of Adam, Trotman’s sculpture blends elements of traditional religious symbolism with contemporary commentary. Although elements are visually similar, Trotman presents a more forceful and intense interaction between figures rather than the serene touch seen in Michelangelo’s work.
This tonal difference explores themes of power dynamics and the human condition. Trotman’s choice of materials, including basswood, gold leaf, and casein, adds layers of symbolism to the piece, contrasting the earthly with the spiritual. By focusing on the action and transfer of energy between the two forms, Trotman invites viewers to reconsider familiar symbols, offering a fresh perspective on age-old themes and sparking conversations about art’s role in cultural evolution.
[L. Dougherty, 2023]
ProvenanceCreated Casar, NC, 2019; collection of the artist; given to NCMA, December 14, 2022.Exhibition HistoryWilmington, NC, Cameron Art Museum, "20 Years," February 25–October 16, 2022.

Raleigh, NC, North Carolina Museum of Art, "The People's Collection, Reimagined," April 15, 2024-present. Object Rights Statement

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