A Tour of the Zoo’s Art
Text by Paula Brookmire
Sculpture garden, art museum, poetry tour, totem walk, flowing fabric art, flower designs—did you know your Zoo offers so many types of culture? There’s a discovery around every curve. In between greeting the animals, you can go on an art tour. Or hunt for the 54 poetry displays. It’s a great way to explore the Milwaukee County Zoo. Many of the artworks were donated to or commissioned by the Zoological Society of Milwaukee (ZSM) and then presented to the Zoo. The poetry installations were designed and/or created by ZSM artists. Another art display greets you as you enter the Zoo trhough the U.S Bank Gathering Place: an array of dramatic animal photos by Richard Brodzeller, a ZSM photographer. See how many sculptures, paintings and other artworks you can find. Add in the animal art made from flowers and plants created by Zoo horticulturalists, and you have more of a challenge.
Go on a virtual tour here of Zoo artworks (a few of which you can see only online). You also can view a slide show of some of the Zoo’s topiary and flowers. The first photo below is of a flamingo-inspired sculpture and clock that has long been a landmark at the Zoo. This artwork once greeted visitors at the front of the Zoo and then was moved, appropriately, to the Flamingo Patio next to the flamingo yard.
Back at the Milwaukee County Zoo this fall after being restored, this large four-panel screen of cranes is watercolor, charcoal, tempera and silver leaf on Japanese paper. It was donated to the Zoological Society in 1993 by the artist, Mr. Misaki Ando, through the help of the Michael Lord Gallery in Milwaukee. The piece formerly hung in Peck Welcome Center, but it suffered from temperature and humidity fluctuations, says the man who restored it, Anton “Tony” Rajer. The library has a more stable temperature, which will help preserve the piece. You can visit the library by appointment. Call (414) 771-3040.
Photo by Richard Brodzeller
