Ernest Trova

Inspired by the city’s massive steel industry, Ernest Trova adopted the material and used it throughout his career. The Falling Man series, begun in 1964 was to become the major theme of his work.  It features an armless, androgynous human figure that recurs in his sculptures, paintings and prints.  His Falling Man is not idealized; he is real, imperfect and potentially frail. "The worth of man is how he manages," says Trova, explaining that he places his hinged figures in a variety of positions to test man’s ability to adapt to his changing environment.  In 1975, Trova donated 40 works to the Laumeier Sculpture Park in St. Louis.  His work can also be seen at the Metropolitan Museum, the Guggenheim, MOMA, NY, LA County Museum, Tate Gallery, London and the Flint Institute, MI.

Courtesy of Sponder Gallery