The Arts Center at Duck Creek in Springs presents Fitzhugh Karol: On the Grounds, a site-specific outdoor exhibition of large-scale steel sculptures by Springs-based artist Fitzhugh Karol. This installation, on view from July 19 to December 14, continues Duck Creek’s commitment to showcasing sculptural works that engage with the land and its history. A reception will be held on Saturday, July 19, from 5 to 7 PM.
Karol’s sculptures unfold across the grounds in rhythmic conversation with one another and their setting, blending abstract architecture with a sense of play, memory, and movement. Monumental in scale but rooted in humble beginnings, each piece originates as slotted cardboard maquettes, evolving through wood or metal models before reaching full realization in steel. His improvisational process — often incorporating salvaged materials — becomes a quiet metaphor for connection and community, where every part contributes to a larger whole.
Karol’s evolving language of form has been shaped by a deep reverence for materials and by a broad range of influences — from the elemental sculptures of Noguchi and Calder to the expressive force of Peter Voulkos and the quiet power of his mentor, Toshiko Takaezu. He is equally guided by his lived experiences in nature, the intuitive logic of childhood play, and the collaborative creativity of his own family, including his wife, artist and designer Lyndsay Caleo Karol.
Set against the rustic backdrop of Duck Creek’s 19th-century shingled farmhouse and barn, Karol’s vibrant sculptures create a striking dialogue between industrial material and their pastoral setting. At once monumental and approachable, the sculptures operate on a human scale, inviting viewers to move through and around them, discovering unexpected sightlines. Many works incorporate openings or negative spaces that frame the environment itself, transforming the natural world into part of the sculpture’s composition.
This interplay of fabricated color, weight, and form against the quiet beauty of the land highlights Duck Creek’s mission to foster meaningful, accessible engagement with contemporary art in a setting steeped in history and nature.
Fitzhugh Karol lives and works in Springs. His sculptures have been installed in parks, museums, and public spaces across the country. He has exhibited at Socrates Sculpture Park, The Tang Teaching Museum at Skidmore College, SCOPE Miami, Art On Paper, The Long Island Museum, and LongHouse Reserve. His work is featured in public and private permanent collections across the country.