The CAC is pleased to present Study of an Elder, the 2011 Limited Edition Silver Circle sculpture by John T. Scott (1940-2007). In commemoration of the CAC's 35th Birthday, the John T. Scott Estate generously agreed to the creation of this limited edition sculpture, cast in Hydrostone. Made originally in wax, though never realized as an actual piece, this sculpture, like much of Scott's oeuvre, was inspired by the rich African-Caribbean communities of New Orleans as well as ancient African rituals and techniques. Well-known for his vibrant kinetic sculptures, wood block prints, collage, and installations, Scott was an important voice in the New Orleans visual arts community throughout his career. His generous spirit and inspiring presence continue to resonate among his former students, colleagues, and contemporaries including Ron Bechet, Lin Emery, Martin Payton, Clifton Webb, and Jeffrey Cook who passed away in 2009.

Ron Bechet, with whom Scott shared a studio for many years, remembers him fondly as an innovator, a collaborator, a risk-taker, and most importantly, as a mentor to any artist who solicited his support. Scott embraced an interdisciplinary practice long before it was defined as such, and was constantly in search of new ways of casting or sculpting. Involved in a number of large-scale, citywide endeavors, Scott notably contributed to the African- American Pavilion for the 1984 World's Fair in New Orleans. In 1992, Scott received the prestigious "Genius Grant" from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation for his creativity as one of the nation's most innovative artists. The De Saix Circle Project: Spirit House, a collaboration between Martin Payton and Scott, was created in remembrance of the many unnamed African-American craftspeople that contributed to the cultural landscape of New Orleans and was dedicated to the city in 2002.

Given Scott's crucial role in our visual arts community, the CAC is honored to present this work to the public. Rescued from Scott's flooded, vandalized studio after Hurricane Katrina, its survival is a testament to the artist's enduring influence. Scott commonly signed his work with his thumbprint and for the CAC's 2011 Limited Edition Silver Circle sculpture, his son, artist Ayo Scott, will leave his own print behind.

Artists' statement:
John T. Scott was born in New Orleans in 1940 and died in 2007. He received his MFA from Michigan State University and earned a BA from Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans, where he later taught in the Department of Fine Arts for over forty years. Scott has been the recipient of many awards and honors and his work is included in numerous museum collections.

The CAC is extremely grateful to the Scott family as well as to Arthur Roger and Bradley Sabin of Arthur Roger Gallery, New Orleans for helping to bring this project to fruition. A very special thanks goes to New Orleans artist Christian Repaal who fabricated this limited edition sculpture.

Join the CAC at these membership levels to receive this limited edition sculpture:

John T. Scott joins previous Silver Circle sculpture artists Generic Art Solutions (G.A.S.); John Barnes, Jr., Srdjan Loncar, Elizabeth Shannon, Stephan Paul Day, MaPo Kinnord-Payton, Mary Jane Parker, Martin Payton, Jeffrey Cook, Allison Stewart, Bernard Mattox, Clifton Webb, Mitchell Gaudet, Mignon Faget, George Dunbar, Gene Koss, Winifred Ross, Christopher Maier, Mario Villa, Arthur Silverman, John T. Scott, and Lin Emery.