Year 1989 (1989) Artist Ken Wyten | Type Painted steel Created 1989 | |
Location Washington, D.C., United States | ||
Composition for the Axemen is a public artwork by American sculptor Ken Wyten, located at Union Center Plaza at 840 First Street NE in Washington, D.C., United States.
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Description
Composition for the Axemen is a steel abstract sculpture painted deep red, a color requested by Sam Rose, who commissioned the work.
Acquisition and creation
The work was commissioned in 1989 by Sam Rose of real estate development firm Greenebaum & Rose Associates of Washington. Sculptor Ken Wyten had the steel fabricated at McShane Welding Company, as well as additional work on the piece was performed by Kartel Sheet Metal and Allied Industries, all located in Erie, Pennsylvania. The abstract piece was named Composition for the Axemen due to Wyten's love for blues music, "axeman" being a slang term for a guitarist.
Installation
Upon its arrival to the location it was kept off site at a nearby vacant lot for fifteen months before being installed to its current location in the fall of 2003.
About the artist
Based out of Erie, Pennsylvania, Wyten's work focuses on the abstract steel sculpture. His works are found in private and public collections, including the Dayton Art Institute.