Back to Artist

Not Olympic Rings

Lonnie Holley
  • LH - Not Olympic Rings - Master Image

    Click on image to enlarge

    Photo: Stephen Pitkin/Pitkin Studio
1994
Steel rod, wire, plastic bracelets, can lids, washers, television dial, machine parts, metal and plastic rings
50.75 x 27 x 24 inches
Collection of
High Museum of Art
Museum purchase and gift of the Souls Grown Deep Foundation
Description

We have to learn how to believe in one’s self. At the time I made this sculpture, I didn’t feel that I was worthy of having my work displayed at the Olympics, thinking that the five rings of the Olympics were greater than I was. I gathered all the rings from around me (radio dials, Washers, bracelets, filters for lawn mowers, carburetor and muffler and water pump gaskets, a drum ring, and others) and that showed me that I had the ability to see the rings, and the rings around me were even more powerful and more important and helpful than any Olympic ring.