ART IN MOTION, 25 Years of Sculpture by George Sherwood
May 3 – October 12, 2025
Explore an extraordinary collection of kinetic sculptures, masterfully crafted by artist and engineer George Sherwood. Art in Motion spans an impressive 25 years of Sherwood’s artistic journey, showcasing 17 intricate stainless-steel sculptures that move in the wind and reflect the sunlight. Drawing inspiration from patterns and perspectives in nature such as birds in flight, ripples and reflections on the surface of water, and floral forms, each sculpture captures the dynamic forces of nature and reflects the beauty of our living world. Art in Motion invites visitors to find moments of tranquility and joy while considering the subtle, ongoing changes taking place in the natural world around us.
Each sculpture featured in Art in Motion is unique and interacts with its surroundings in its own special way. The pieces vary in shape, size, and movement, ranging from smaller more intimate sculptures to large-scale works reaching up to 21 feet. A collection of Sherwood’s work, Wind, Waves, and Light, was featured at New England Botanic Garden in 2019. A few favorites from this collection return as part of Art in Motion along with pieces not previously displayed at the Garden and one new, never-before-seen sculpture. Discover them all this spring, summer, and fall!
American sculptor George Sherwood examines the aesthetic interplay of space, time, and moving objects. His stainless-steel sculptures, known for their reflective surfaces, respond dynamically to environmental factors like wind, light, and the changing seasons. Recently, he has explored indoor wall installations that subtly shift with the faintest air currents, producing shimmering effects on their surroundings.
Born and raised in Fairfield, Connecticut, and currently based in Ipswich, Massachusetts, Sherwood holds degrees in both art and engineering. His fascination with movement began in the 1970s through physical theater, which led him to create performances featuring animated props and sculptures. After earning his engineering degree, he worked with LEGO Futura, where he contributed to developments that inspired his sculptural journey. His path was also influenced by kinetic sculptor George Rickey.
Sherwood’s works are featured in many notable collections, including those at the Currier Museum of Art and the Atlanta Botanical Garden. He has also completed public projects in various cities, including Salt Lake City, UT, and Hanover, NH as well as solo shows at the Rose Kennedy Greenway in Boston, MA, and the Katonah Museum in Katonah, NY. In 2007, he received the Lillian Heller Award for Contemporary Art at Chesterwood in Massachusetts.
Images from Sherwood’s Wind, Waves, and Light exhibited at the Garden in 2019.
FAQs
A kinetic sculpture is a sculpture where movement is a key part of the design. Kinetic sculptures move by motor or by natural forces like wind or water.
Art in Motion includes 17 sculptures displayed across our formal gardens. Map coming soon!
The sculptures in this exhibition are made of stainless steel.
All of the sculptures are located in our formal gardens and viewable from ADA accessible pathways. To view all 17 pieces, plan to walk about 1 mile. Guided golf cart tours are available by reservation every Thursday from 11 to 11:45am during the exhibition period. Tours are available on a first-come, first-served basis and are included with general admission.
Art in Motion will be displayed from May 3 through October 12, 2025. Visitors can experience the exhibition during our daytime hours Monday through Sunday, 10am to 5pm and during special extended hours on Wednesday and Thursday evenings this summer. We recommend visiting multiple times to experience how each sculpture changes through the seasons.
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