Evan Penny

$63,000.00

Evan Penny
Camille
2000/2007
Bronze and patina
Edition of 6
Dimensions: 34 x 9.5 x 6 in

Description
This exceptional bronze sculpture is a landmark portrait by internationally acclaimed Canadian sculptor Evan Penny, depicting fellow prominent artist, scholar, and cultural producer Camille Turner. Standing at nearly three feet in height, Camille presents a slender, vertically compressed nude portrait that bridges classical foundry traditions with modern optical theory. The work deliberately replicates the spatial compression and anamorphic stretch of telephoto camera lenses and digital rendering, transforming a physical portrait of Turner into a tangible, three-dimensional exploration of form and perception.

Penny’s practice is deeply rooted in investigating how human identity and the human body are mediated through technology, photography, and memory. By rendering Turner’s likeness in bronze rather than his signature silicone, the physical weight, permanence, and historical dialogue of classical portraiture take precedence. The subtle, rich patina catches ambient light across the delicate anatomical contours of the figure, shifting in tone and optical depth as the viewer moves around the piece to decode its altered geometry.

Major Accolades & Recognition

  • Recipient of the prestigious Lynch-Staunton Award (Canada Council for the Arts) and multiple Senior Artist Grants.

  • Former faculty member at world-renowned art institutions, including the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) and the Ontario College of Art (OCAD U).

  • Subject of the major international touring retrospective Evan Penny: Re-Figuring, presented at Museum Kunstpalast (Düsseldorf), Kunsthalle Tübingen (Germany), Columbus Museum of Art (Ohio), and the Art Gallery of Ontario (Toronto).

  • Represented globally by elite contemporary art galleries, including Sperone Westwater in New York and Nicholas Metivier Gallery in Toronto.

Selected Permanent Collections

  • Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden (Washington, D.C.)

  • National Gallery of Canada (Ottawa, ON)

  • Art Gallery of Ontario (Toronto, ON)

  • Vancouver Art Gallery (Vancouver, BC)

  • Columbus Museum of Art (Columbus, OH)

  • Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art / MOCA (Toronto, ON)

  • Glenbow Museum (Calgary, AB)

  • Canada Council Art Bank (Ottawa, ON)

Evan Penny
Camille
2000/2007
Bronze and patina
Edition of 6
Dimensions: 34 x 9.5 x 6 in

Description
This exceptional bronze sculpture is a landmark portrait by internationally acclaimed Canadian sculptor Evan Penny, depicting fellow prominent artist, scholar, and cultural producer Camille Turner. Standing at nearly three feet in height, Camille presents a slender, vertically compressed nude portrait that bridges classical foundry traditions with modern optical theory. The work deliberately replicates the spatial compression and anamorphic stretch of telephoto camera lenses and digital rendering, transforming a physical portrait of Turner into a tangible, three-dimensional exploration of form and perception.

Penny’s practice is deeply rooted in investigating how human identity and the human body are mediated through technology, photography, and memory. By rendering Turner’s likeness in bronze rather than his signature silicone, the physical weight, permanence, and historical dialogue of classical portraiture take precedence. The subtle, rich patina catches ambient light across the delicate anatomical contours of the figure, shifting in tone and optical depth as the viewer moves around the piece to decode its altered geometry.

Major Accolades & Recognition

  • Recipient of the prestigious Lynch-Staunton Award (Canada Council for the Arts) and multiple Senior Artist Grants.

  • Former faculty member at world-renowned art institutions, including the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) and the Ontario College of Art (OCAD U).

  • Subject of the major international touring retrospective Evan Penny: Re-Figuring, presented at Museum Kunstpalast (Düsseldorf), Kunsthalle Tübingen (Germany), Columbus Museum of Art (Ohio), and the Art Gallery of Ontario (Toronto).

  • Represented globally by elite contemporary art galleries, including Sperone Westwater in New York and Nicholas Metivier Gallery in Toronto.

Selected Permanent Collections

  • Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden (Washington, D.C.)

  • National Gallery of Canada (Ottawa, ON)

  • Art Gallery of Ontario (Toronto, ON)

  • Vancouver Art Gallery (Vancouver, BC)

  • Columbus Museum of Art (Columbus, OH)

  • Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art / MOCA (Toronto, ON)

  • Glenbow Museum (Calgary, AB)

  • Canada Council Art Bank (Ottawa, ON)

Evan Penny, the acclaimed Toronto-based sculptor, delves into the complexities of the human form and its relationship to the history of art. Born in South Africa and raised in Canada, Penny's artistic journey began at the Alberta College of Art. His work meticulously examines the evolution of sculptural realism through various artistic periods and the influence of both traditional and digital photography.

Penny's dedication to his craft is evident in every piece. However, his life-like 1983 sculpture "Ali" marked a shift, while subsequent experiences reignited his passion for sculpting the human figure. Works like "Jim Revisited" (2011) showcase his mastery of 3D scanning technology to reimagine earlier pieces.

We are pleased to present "Camille" (2000/2007), a stunning bronze and patina sculpture from a limited edition of 6. This work immortalizes Camille Turner, the renowned Canadian media and performance artist known for her thought-provoking explorations of Canadian identity.

Penny's brilliance extends beyond his sculptures. He generously shares his knowledge with students and his work is celebrated in prestigious collections worldwide, including the National Gallery of Canada, the Art Gallery of Ontario, and many more.