The Rahr-West Art Museum in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, is very proud to announce the installation of Makili, a bronze sculpture from renowned American artist Deborah Butterfield. Makili, is a full-size horse sculpture created in Butterfield’s signature style. This major addition to the Rahr-West Art Museum collection will be exhibited permanently in the museum’s East Lawn, (610 N. 8th Street, Manitowoc, WI).
Deborah Butterfield’s equine sculptures are found in museums and sculpture parks throughout America. The former University of Wisconsin-Madison professor creates her horses in a distinctive style. She meticulously composes the horse from found wood, then casts the skeletal frame in bronze with highly sophisticated patinations. The result appears to be wood but is actually bronze, allowing for the sculpture to permanently reside outdoors.
Makili was sculpted in 1996 by Butterfield in her Hawai’i studio using native Ohia wood. In her sculpting process, the wood is covered in a ceramic cast and liquid bronze is poured into it. The wood is burned off and the bronze cools, taking the Ohia wood’s form. The name “Makili” is Hawai’ian, meaning “to appear through a crack, to come to light”
Makili comes to the Rahr-West Art Museum thanks to the generosity of the Ruth St. John and John Dunham West Foundation. Through their gift, the Rahr-West Art Museum Charitable Foundation acquired the sculpture from New York collectors Joel and Sherry Mallins. Makili was originally commissioned by the Mallins in 1996 and resided at their private Buckhorn Sculpture Park.
“This is an acquisition years in the making,” shared Executive Director Greg Vadney. “We are so thankful for the organizations who made this major public art addition possible. Deborah Butterfield’s art is exciting and accessible. It is a tremendous gift to our city.”