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Executed in 1939; 51x32x32" life size Ceramic; hand molded; Gregory mixed his own clay and high fired all of his works so they can withstand sub-zero temp. This work adorned the Gregory front yard along with other monumental ceramic works in New Jersey for years, located on a six-foot post. After Gregory's death someone was destroying the outdoor sculptures; chopping off heads and private parts. With help, I wrapped all the works with insulation and secured them with rope. Seeing that too was disturbed, Yolande (Gregory's widow) had me call the movers and all were stored indoors. However, this wasn't until after two of the ton-size monumental works lost their heads and other parts and taken away. It was so devasting and we both could not comprehend why anyone would destroy works of art and steal its parts. The Seed was not among the damaged sculptures.
Because of Gregory's encounter with Einstein, above sculpture takes on another look,
another name:
On opening day of the 1939 NY World's Fair, Mr. Einstein was walking with his entourage and
when he approached the work executed by Gregory, 1939 NY World's Fair
Fountain of the Atom.
Einstein stopped and told Gregory he wanted to meet the artist who was giving "honor to the atom"
and was interested in seeing how it would be handled. They had conversations. At that time,
Gregory had already made the model to The Seed with the couple merely holding hands. After this
encounter, Gregory changed the sculpture and its name. The subjects are tenderly holding an egg
and the theme became; "in case of an atomic holocaust, let's preserve the seed of mankind".
The work was executed before the atom bomb came into existence.
Later Gregory executed a life-size portraiture of Einstein in stained ceramic and another heroic
in size; hand hammered lead repousse.
Gregory carved into large blocks of styrofoam and executed models to be cast in bronze or
other material. He did this work outdoors in his yard and I was delighted to converse
with him and watch as he created MAN'S INNER STRUGGLE WITH SELF (I dubbed Conscience),
11-feet H, 1960's.
THEME: Inner man takes on an abstract form. Man is trying to free himself from the inner man and does so with one foot only. He is still attached at the heart section. With one arm Man is trying to free himself while with the other he is trying to hide his face from his inner-self. Man is double minded, he has two heads; Man and the inner both have a head. Also, it can lend itself to relate to both genders. Gregory was always so free to execute sextual parts, but in this sculpture, the private section is still attached to his inner self. Thus a woman can relate to it as well. Please note, to each viewer a different message will unfold and another visit may produce still another message. It is a very uplifting work of art, strong in its execution but simplified in its form.
This work would be fantastic in Patina Bronze 22-feet high for high rise buildings; perhaps in a setting of water and elevating the sculpture. Give me FEED BACK. I have others too; a beautiful 6-foot swan that could be cast in white marble and another lovely 6-foot model titled, "Life Cycle".TO ALL ARCHITECTS TO ALL DECORATORS TO ALL ANYBODY WHO IS INTERESTED IN OBTAINING A GREGORY MODEL
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