Accession Number
2015/2.54

Title
Fountainhead

Artist(s)
Robert Piepenburg

Artist Nationality
American (North American)

Object Creation Date
2006

Medium & Support
raku ware ceramic

Dimensions
33 in x 8 in x 8 in (83.82 cm x 20.32 cm x 20.32 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of the artist

Subject matter
Known for his integration of Raku Firing techniques, the Ann Arbor-based ceramicist creates fine art ceramics that represent Piepenburg's pursuit of the spirit. The title references the book by mid-twentieth century novelist Ayn Rand about a modernist architect. The architectural motifs in this sculpture reference the book's main character, who was Rand's ideal man—one who favors individualism over collectivity.

Physical Description
This ceramic sculpture has a base comprised of four rectangular pieces that create a box, topped with three perpendicularly-placed rectangles. It is topped with four curved segments. The sculpture is signed "Piepenburg" in the clay.

Primary Object Classification
Sculpture

Primary Object Type
abstract sculpture

Additional Object Classification(s)
Ceramic

Collection Area
Modern and Contemporary

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.

Keywords
architecture (discipline)
ceramic (material)
novels
sculpture (visual works)