John Henry

Zach's Tower

Throughout John Henrys career, he has pursued a rigorous formal thinking that links his 1960s Minimalism to the experiments of the Russian Constructivists of the early 20th century. His works balance delicate lines against sturdy trunks of steel, adding color as a way to stand out against the urban environments of the American landscape.

In Zachs Tower, Henry balances delicate forms and buoyant lines against strong, leaden anchors. As with most three-dimensional sculpture, this piece evolves as the viewer walks around it. Henrys work frames the geometries of our built environment, breaking down the outsize scale of skyscrapers and creating small vignettes. Henrys work seems vibrant and expressionistic against 100 years of architectural history found in Milwaukees downtown, enlivening the solidity of buildings with the inventive visual experiments of the artist.

Throughout John Henrys career, he has pursued a rigorous formal thinking that links his 1960s Minimalism to the experiments of the Russian Constructivists of the early 20th century. His works balance delicate lines against sturdy trunks of steel, adding color as a way to stand out against the urban environments of the American landscape.

In Zachs Tower, Henry balances delicate forms and buoyant lines against strong, leaden anchors. As with most three-dimensional sculpture, this piece evolves as the viewer walks around it. Henrys work frames the geometries of our built environment, breaking down the outsize scale of skyscrapers and creating small vignettes. Henrys work seems vibrant and expressionistic against 100 years of architectural history found in Milwaukees downtown, enlivening the solidity of buildings with the inventive visual experiments of the artist.

Throughout John Henrys career, he has pursued a rigorous formal thinking that links his 1960s Minimalism to the experiments of the Russian Constructivists of the early 20th century. His works balance delicate lines against sturdy trunks of steel, adding color as a way to stand out against the urban environments of the American landscape.

In Zachs Tower, Henry balances delicate forms and buoyant lines against strong, leaden anchors. As with most three-dimensional sculpture, this piece evolves as the viewer walks around it. Henrys work frames the geometries of our built environment, breaking down the outsize scale of skyscrapers and creating small vignettes. Henrys work seems vibrant and expressionistic against 100 years of architectural history found in Milwaukees downtown, enlivening the solidity of buildings with the inventive visual experiments of the artist.

John Henry

John Henry

Zach's Tower

Exhibition

Exhibition

Materials & Dimensions

Materials & Dimensions

Painted steel

312 x 168 x 144 inches

Year

Year

2007

Site

Site

400 W Wisconsin Ave

Credits

Credits

Private collection, Dallas

Sol LeWitt

Tower (Gubbio)

Sol LeWitt

Tower (Gubbio)

Sol LeWitt

Tower (Gubbio)

Dennis Oppenheim

Safety Cones

Dennis Oppenheim

Safety Cones

Dennis Oppenheim

Safety Cones

Tom Otterness

Immigrant Family

Tom Otterness

Immigrant Family

Tom Otterness

Immigrant Family

thank you

To our generous sponsors, partners, collaborators, and supporters who make our work possible.

Founding & Sustaining
Sponsors

* indicates both Founding and sustaining founding sponsor

Anonymous
Donna & Donald Baumgartner*
Black Box Fund
Evan & Marion Helfaer Foundation
Susan & Mark Irgens*
Mellowes Family*
Sue & Bud Selig*
Julie & David Uihlein*
Lacey Sadoff Foundation

presenting

Collaborator

Betty Arndt
City of Milwaukee Arts Board
Good Karma Brands

leader

Anonymous
Heil Family Foundation
Godfrey & Kahn

Exhibition Partner

Visionary

George & Karen Oliver

sculpture

Wayne & Lori Morgan

Connector

BMO
Foley & Lardner
Hawks Landscaping
Open Pantry
PNC Bank
PwC
Russ Darrow Group
Town Bank
US Bank
WeycoGroup

Sculpture Milwaukee is always free and open to the public thanks to our generous supporters.

We work with trusted community partners to ensure great contemporary art is accessible to all.

Colophon

© 2025 Sculpture Milwaukee

thank you

To our generous sponsors, partners, collaborators, and supporters who make our work possible.

Founding & Sustaining
Sponsors

* indicates both Founding and sustaining founding sponsor

Anonymous
Donna & Donald Baumgartner*
Black Box Fund
Evan & Marion Helfaer Foundation
Herb Kohl Philanthropies
Herzfeld Foundation
Hoke Family Foundation
Susan & Mark Irgens*
Mandel Groups*
Mellowes Family*
Sue & Bud Selig*
Julie & David Uihlein*
Lacey Sadoff Foundation

presenting

Collaborator

Betty Arndt
City of Milwaukee Arts Board
Good Karma Brands

leader

Anonymous
Heil Family Foundation
Godfrey & Kahn

Exhibition Partner

Visionary

Evan & Marion Helfaer Foundation

sculpture

Wayne & Lori Morgan

Connector

BMO
Foley & Lardner
Hawks Landscaping
Open Pantry
PNC Bank
PwC
Russ Darrow Group
Town Bank
US Bank
WeycoGroup

Sculpture Milwaukee is always free and open to the public thanks to our generous supporters.

We work with trusted community partners to ensure great contemporary art is accessible to all.

Sign up for our newsletter

Colophon

© 2025 Sculpture Milwaukee