Louise Nevelson (American, born Russia, 1900-1988) Sky Cathedral, 1958 Wood, painted black, 115 x 135 x 20" George B. and Jenny R. Mathews Fund, 1970

Louise Nevelson always knew that she would become an artist. But sculpture like Sky Cathedral came about partially by accident. Nevelson started with small pieces of wood that she put together in fun and interesting ways. A few years later she received a Christmas present in a box that was divided up inside. This gave her the idea to put her wood sculptures into boxes. Finally she made so many boxes that her studio was completely filled and she had no more room to work! To save space, she stacked the boxes up--and that's how pieces like Sky Cathedral began!

This work is made up of 38 different boxes. Each of them creates a mood--can you find one box that looks scary? One that's sad looking? One that you'd like to go inside if you were only a few inches tall? A mysterious one? Can you think of any other feelings or moods that the boxes create?

Nevelson wanted her work to look mysterious. How else does she do that? In addition to painting it black, the sculpture is exhibited in a dark space and not lit very brightly. The artist especially liked the way this makes the shadows deep and dramatic. How would it be different if she had painted it red, or yellow? What would happen if it were lit with bright lights? Why do you think Nevelson called it Sky Cathedral? Can you think of some other good titles?