Pentameter 1965

Ruth Vollmer made this sculpture called Pentameter. It’s got these repeating forms that look like smooth, worn stones, or maybe even a string of dark pearls. I imagine Vollmer carefully carving into the material, patiently coaxing these shapes into being. What was she thinking about as she worked? Did she have a clear vision from the start, or did the form emerge through a process of experimentation? The surface is dark and a little rough, giving it a tactile quality. I can almost feel the cool, solid weight of the piece in my hands. It makes me think about the relationship between the artist's hand, the material, and the final form. Maybe Vollmer was inspired by mathematical forms, but she transformed them into something earthy and sensual. Like so many artists, Vollmer invites us to slow down, observe, and question the world around us. She engages in an ongoing conversation that transcends time and place.