Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 7

Ralph Wickstrom
"To Each His Own" Original Painted Steel Sculpture by: Ralph Wickstrom

2000

About the Item

"To Each His Own" is a painted steel sculpture by Ralph Wickstrom, created in 2000. The sculpture is that of a tower with four levels, each level showcasing a unique set of shapes. The most immediately recognizable is that of bolts on the top level, from there the shapes become more abstract and susceptible to interpretation. The title implies that each of these shapes is meant to represent something unique that the viewer is left to explore and draw conclusions on independently. For that reason, perhaps it is best to leave any interpretation to the viewer. As the title says "to each their own." Sculpture Dimensions: 29-3/4"x 6" x 6" Born in Sioux City, IA on August 23, 1925, Ralph Wickstrom was a collector turned artist who lived in Ripon, Wisconsin from 1961 to his death in 2019. After being discharged from the Navy Air Corp in 1946, he enrolled and earned his BA from Morningside College. After spending one year at the University of Denver he transferred to the University of Iowa and earned his Ph.D. in physical education in 1953. After teaching at 3 Midwestern universities he settled at Ripon College as a professor and became head of the P.E. Department and athletic director in 1961. His interest and involvement with art over a period of more than three decades eventually shifted from primarily collecting artwork, to producing his own. After retiring from his position as a Professor in 1990 he devoted most of his productive effort to making indoor and outdoor metal sculptures from scrap steel. Ralph found it challenging and deeply satisfying to give new life to scrap steel, or as sculptor Isamu Noguchi eloquently put it, to "reincarnate it as a creation." Universally appealing geometric forms and abstract shapes were the basic elements used in his compositions. Ralph Lee Wickstrom passed away on, December 13, 2019, at his home with his family by his side at the age of 94.
  • Creator:
    Ralph Wickstrom (American)
  • Creation Year:
    2000
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 29.75 in (75.57 cm)Width: 6 in (15.24 cm)Depth: 6 in (15.24 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    Milwaukee, WI
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 9583c1stDibs: LU605310694432

More From This Seller

View All
"Urban Scene" Original Painted Steel Sculpture by: Ralph Wickstrom
By Ralph Wickstrom
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Urban Scene" is a painted steel sculpture by Ralph Wickstrom created in 1997. Deceivingly thin the sculpture is made up of straight lines and right angles...
Category

1990s Abstract Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Steel

"Emerging Force" Original Painted Steel Sculpture by: Ralph Wickstrom
By Ralph Wickstrom
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Emerging Force" is a painted steel sculpture by Ralph Wickstrom created in 2000. From the front view, this sculpture appears to be simply a concave lens held up by a thin steel rod....
Category

Early 2000s Abstract Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Steel

"Melody in G" Original Painted Steel Sculpture by: Ralph Wickstrom
By Ralph Wickstrom
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Melody in G" is a painted steel sculpture by Ralph Wickstrom created in 2000. Wickstrom's portfolio is very diverse in form and shape, and yet this piece seems to stand out from the...
Category

Early 2000s Abstract Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Steel

"Dancing Doll" Original Painted Steel Sculpture by: Ralph Wickstrom
By Ralph Wickstrom
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Dancing Doll" is a painted steel sculpture by Ralph Wickstrom created in 1994. One of Wickstrom's more representational pieces, though still considered abstract. Yet, at first glance, the viewer may not catch the whimsical dancing figure. Arms outstretched and hollow head with a triangle body, the sculpture resembles the stick figures so often seen on restroom signs...
Category

1990s Abstract Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Steel

"Random Thoughts, " Painted Steel signed by Ralph Wickstrom
By Ralph Wickstrom
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Random Thoughts" is a painted steel sculpture by Ralph Wickstrom. The sculpture consists of a circular form with a zig-zag piece within it and an additional off-shooting part on the...
Category

Early 2000s Abstract Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Steel

"Aproximacion al Vacio, " Steel Abstract Sculpture by Gerardo Wohlgemuth
By Gerardo Wohlgemuth
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Aproximacion al Vacio" is a steel sculpture by Gerardo Wohlgemuth. This abstract sculpture is in a rectangular form with a circular space cut into the center. 15 1/2" x 16 1/2" x ...
Category

Early 2000s Abstract Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Steel

You May Also Like

PARISIANSUMMER
By John Chamberlain
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
JOHN CHAMBERLAIN PARISIANSUMMER 2006 Painted and stainless steel Unsigned 15" x 17" x 11 1⁄2” Chamberlain began to explore metal sculpture in the late 1950s, finding his signatu...
Category

Early 2000s Abstract Expressionist Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Steel, Stainless Steel

Fire Water Earth
Located in Boston, MA
Artist Commentary: This piece is about the power of the elements through the use of color and durable material (metal). Keywords: Abstract, modern, nature, spiritual, metal art, sculpture, sculptural Artist Biography: Mini Mukherjee...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Steel

"Josephine is a Hard Act to Follow", David Deming, Stainless Steel Sculpture,
By David L. Deming
Located in Dallas, TX
David L. Deming’s world of lively canine sculptures captures the artist’s love for dogs and presents a whimsical look at four-legged behavior at its best. His extensive and unique collection of painted steel and lacquered steel dog sculptures are assembled using steel pipe, vintage hand tools, sheet metal, and other material that the artist has skillfully welded together, creating life-like depictions of memorable pets in rather human-like scenarios. In "Josephine is a Hard Act to Follow" the weenie dog is jumping through a ring of fire wearing a vest and swirling hat...
Category

1990s Abstract Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Steel

"Zephyrella" - Painting on Acrylic with Steel Sculpture Elements
Located in Soquel, CA
Abstract composition reverse-painted on an acrylic sheet (Plexiglas) by Laurel Morley (American, b. 1969). Acrylic sheet is mounted on a steel structure with "wings" on either side. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Abstract Paintings

Materials

Steel

Indian Contemporary Art by Sumit Mehndiratta - Vibrant Hypnosis
By Sumit Mehndiratta
Located in Paris, IDF
Vinyl print on stainless steel Set of 12 Sumit Mehndiratta is an Indian artist born in 1986 who lives & works in New Delhi, India. He has pursued Master of Science in Internationa...
Category

2010s Abstract Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Steel, Stainless Steel

Small Red Modernist Tree Root Sculpture in Welded Steel, Abstract Art
By Steve Tobin
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Steve Tobin Red Dancing Root, 2024 Forged and welded steel, multicoat acrylic paint 17 x 16 x 16 inches STo003 Steve Tobin (b. 1957, Philadelphia) is a conceptual artist whose acade...
Category

2010s Abstract Geometric Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Steel

Recently Viewed

View All