The Boat in the Field

The Boat in the Field by Artist Ilan Averbuch
M.L. “Red” Trabue Nature Reserve

Ilan Averbuch was born in Tel Aviv, Israel and currently of Long Island City, N.Y. A sculptor of international acclaim, his cultural experiences are deeply rooted into his creative process. Averbuch was selected for this commission from a grouping of 151 applicants from 33 states. He has been awarded nine major commissions in the past five years.

The nature reserve was named for “Red” Trabue, a Dublin naturalist, journalist, television pioneer and avid fisherman. The sculpture consists of the 25-foot-tall stone skeletal structure of a boat, seemingly to defy gravity as it hovers in the air near the reserve’s pond. Averbuch incorporates steel, limestone, and recycled granite. The granite is recycled from the steps of St. John Cathedral in Cleveland.

The granite was delivered to Averbuch’s studio, where he cut it to fit the newly formed steel structure of the sculpture. “My work involves the recycling of images and materials moving from one time span to another.”

Averbuch was selected for this commission from a grouping of 151 applicants from 33 states. He has been awarded nine major commissions in the past five years.

Read the announcement about the award here.

View Averbuch’s initial proposal presentation here.