Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park

Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park has got to be the most unique park I have ever visited. It is an outdoor museum consisting of huge metal/stone/marble sculptures spread across over 300 acres of beautifully landscaped countryside. It is located in Hamilton, OH, just north of Cincinnati. There are roads you can drive around to see the sculptures, you can rent an art (golf) cart, or you can just head out on foot, which is what I did. Walking the hills was a great way to burn a few calories, plus I was able to get up close to these enormous structures. 

This sculpture is Abracadabra by Alexander Liberman. It was huge and could be seen from several vantage points in the park, definitely one of my favorites. Alexander Liberman was born in Russia in 1912, relocated to New York in 1941, joined the staff of Conde Nast, and eventually became the Art Director. He began his career as a painter and a photographer, turning to sculpture in the 1950’s. Pyramid Hill has three of his works, each constructed of welded, painted steel. 

I think it is odd how artwork can create an emotion in the observer; inspiration, wonderment, unease, bafflement. Abracadabra created, for me, a sense of energy and happiness; probably because of its sheer size and fanciful angles and curves. I really enjoyed walking across the fields and seeing these monstrous creations... kind of gave you a focal point as you were trucking up the hillside.

Pyramid Hill began in 1987 when Harry T. Wilks (1925-2014) purchased 40 acres of land to be used as his private residence. He bought several adjoining parcels of land as they became available. He later developed a non-profit foundation and donated the land for the creation of a public park.  He wanted to ensure the land would be unavailable for private development after his passing, thereby preserving it as a single parcel for the enjoyment of future generations. Needing a focal point for his park, he began visiting sculptures and purchasing pieces of art to be displayed throughout the grounds. The park thereby became a collection of sculptures and had its grand opening in 1996. It has been growing ever since and has acquired national and international attention.

These are a few of the other works that really caught my attention.

The Web by Brian Monaghan

Adam’s First Breath by Sam McKinney, a local artist from Lexington, KY. 

Midnight Serenade Pose 2 by Pokey Park. I just love the whimsical ones!

Pattern IV by Greg John. 

Euclid’s Cross by Michael Dunbar. 

This sculpture was a tribute to Euclid, 

the father of geometry and weighs in at 12 tons.

A side note, on my way home from the park I saw signs for local produce and followed them to a lovely farm where I purchased apples and blueberry cider. Just chit-chatting with the farmer, the conversation came around to why I was up in his neck of the woods. I told him I was on my way home from the visiting the sculpture park and he said, in as country of an accent as you can imagine, “that guy’s got more money than he’s got sense”. He then went on to tell me that he had never been to the park and the only sculpture he’s ever seen was the one at the front entrance… and that was weird enough for him… he didn't need to go inside to see anything else. The guy really made me laugh. I love country farms as much as I love art museums, but for some reason, the farmers and the artists exist in different worlds, even if they live less than a mile away from one another other.