For Immediate Release
April 1, 2005

John Newling to Create Installation For the Haggerty Museum of Art


(Milwaukee, Wisconsin) The Haggerty Museum of Art, Marquette University, will present John Newling: British Conceptual Artist, June 2 - August 28. For this exhibition, John Newling, international conceptual artist from Nottingham, England, will present a new conceptual installation; Samuel A. Maverick Refused to Brand His Cattle. Newling will speak about the installation and his approach to art at the opening of the exhibition on June 2nd, at 6:00 p.m. A reception will follow.

The Haggerty showing will be Newling's first solo exhibition in the United States. The Installation created for the Haggerty's mezzanine gallery, will include five golden calves, double gilded in 14ct gold branded with the word "mine". Each calf will stand on a plinth. Surrounding each calf will be additional textual elements exploring the symbolism of the calves. "A gilded calf is an iconic symbol," says Newling. The biblical connotations of the golden calf, reinforces the artist's use of this symbol. Through the images of the golden calf Newling explores basic human ideas of faith, ownership, and freedom. In short, human life from the sacred to its' material concerns.

For the Haggerty installation, Newling has drawn his inspiration from Samuel A. Maverick (1803-1870), the Texan cattle owner who neglected to brand his cattle. Before long, the calves that roamed the areas were referred to as "mavericks" and the word became associated with a person of independent or unorthodox views. By branding the calves in the exhibition the artist introduces the notion of the encroachment on individual expression and freedom in daily life.

"John Newling's Samuel A. Maverick Refused to Brand His Cattle brings a fresh and original approach to international conceptual art. His work is grounded in deeply philosophical and spiritual insight," said Dr. Curtis L. Carter, director of the Haggerty and curator of the exhibition.

Newling's previous works include installations that explore ideas from the religious to various types of monetary exchange in different cultures. "Over many years I have observed and commented on the thoughts and desires that spring from deep within us. I have been interested in the way our fears and our loves, as well as our beliefs are manifested in our private lives and our public institutions," said Newling.

Concurrent with the Haggerty Exhibition, the City of London, England, will feature one of Newling's calves in its Festival of the Arts, in July. Newling has installed works across Europe and the U.S. including; Currency and Belief at the Djanogly Gallery, Lakeside Nottingham University; Charity, Oxfam, Bold Street, Liverpool; and an installation of a permanent work for The Prayer Room Worcester Hospital.

Newling was born in Birmingham, England, and completed his M.A. and M. Phil. degrees at Chelsea and Wolverhamton. He was awarded the first Fulbright Fellowship in Visual Art in 1985. Currently, he lives in Nottingham, England and is professor of installation sculpture at The Nottingham Trent University.

The Haggerty Museum of Art is located at North 13th St. and West Clybourn Avenue on the campus of Marquette University. Museum hours are Monday - Wednesday, Friday - Saturday, 10 am-4:30 p.m.; Thursday, 10 am-8 p.m.; and Sunday, noon-5 p.m.. Free parking is available in the Mary B. Finnigan Parking Lot (enter on 11th St. through Marquette Lot J). For more information on John Newling:British Conceptual Artist please contact Brian Moore at 1-414-288-3657