Richard Jolley’s Magnum Opus

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A portion of glass artist Richard Jolley’s permanent installation “Cycle of Life”. Photo by Paul Efird.

knoxville.museum.artThe biggest event in the Knoxville Museum of Art’s history since the building opened in Tennessee in 1990 – the public unveiling, on May 4th, 2014, of artist Richard Jolley’s “Cycle of Life: Within the Power of Dreams and the Wonder of Infinity,” a seven-ton, 105-foot wide, 30-foot tall glass sculpture installed in the museum’s Great Hall.

The piece cost $1 million and took Richard and his eight-person staff five years to design and construct; it took another three months to hang. It is Richard’s grandest and most ambitious undertaking. It is also being touted as a turning point for the museum itself, a catalyst for more visitors, more money, and international recognition. It will permanently adorn the Knoxville Museum‘s 3,500-square-foot Great Hall.desire.richard.jolley_kma.4

Forged in glass and steel, the artwork portrays the epic story of humanity The piece will consist of seven huge glass and steel panels.

Click HERE to jump to Knoxville News Sentinel online photos of the private unveiling.