Artists at the Pier 3 - Featured artwork
Brian E. Monaghan's work reflects a long engagement with welded metal sculpture rooted in Chicago's modernist tradition. While influenced by abstract sculpture pioneers such as Richard Hunt, his own practice emphasizes lyrical movement, natural forces, and what he calls "three-dimensional poems"—metal forms intended to evoke the energy of both the natural world and human experience. Rather than depicting literal scenes, he aims to express movement, emotion, and energy through abstract forms.
These modern, abstract metal sculptures - Nest, Overunder, and Intrigue are thoughtful and evocative pieces that demonstrate both technical skill and conceptual depth. They present a compelling interplay between structure and suggestion.
They feel like a drawing that has stepped into space. Rather than carving mass, Monaghan appears to “draw” with metal, allowing line, gesture, and movement to become the true substance of the work. What makes them compelling is the tension between structure and improvisation.
The looping steel lines seem almost calligraphic - as though the artist captured motion in midair, creating likely intentional ambiguity. His work often invites viewers to move around the sculpture and participate in completing the image themselves. What is especially successful here is the feeling that the sculptures are simultaneously fragile and strong - almost like a fleeting thought translated into industrial material. The steel gives permanence to something that otherwise feels ephemeral and alive.
NEST - a quiet refuge expressed through sculpture.
With graceful curves and harmonious balance, Nest speaks to our universal desire for connection, belonging, and sanctuary. Its elegant form invites contemplation, reminding us that home is more than a place - it is a feeling carried within us.
OVERUNDER - where movement and balance become one.
Flowing lines weave effortlessly over and beneath one another, creating a captivating rhythm of tension and harmony. Every angle reveals a new relationship between form and space, transforming solid materials into a graceful visual dance.
INTRIGUE - Curiosity sculpted into form.
True to its name, Intrigue draws the eye inward. Its elegant interplay of lines, void, and movement encourages viewers to slow down and discover something new with every perspective. The sculpture doesn’t simply occupy space - it engages in a conversation with it.
The piece’s uniqueness seems to spring from the synthesis of fluidity and structure. By resisting literal representation, Managhan encourages viewers to complete the image in their minds, fostering a participatory experience. These responses range from meditations on identity to reflections on the interconnectedness of human existence.
If you wish to aquire one of Brian E Monaghan’s sculptures in your home or business, please don't hesitate to contact Joan at Joan@joaneschenkandassociates.com for details on acquiring it.