Conversation

Thomas Sayre is a North Carolina artist whose public commissions include sculptures for the LYNX light rail system in Charlotte. He is chiefly known for his "earthworks," iron castings made from natural and artificial earth molds, examples of which can be seen in the Carolina Union (and in this exhibit). "Conversation," an arrangement of existing materials, represents another facet of his art. The sculpture stands in the garden of Hyde Hall, home of the Institute of Arts and Humanities, and commemorates the retirement of IAH founder Ruel Tyson. The single stone acts as a seat inviting the viewer to contemplate and "converse" with the facing tower. The two pieces of the work symbolize the interdisciplinary dialogues that take place in the IAH. Sayre is a Carolina alumnus and Morehead scholar, as well as a Public IAH Fellow.