Gray Column
Gray Column, 1975–76, De Wain Valentine. Polyester resin. 140 x 87 1/2 x 9 1/2 in. Lent by De Wain Valentine. Artwork © De Wain Valentine
On View at the Getty Center: From Start to Finish: De Wain Valentine's Gray Column
De Wain Valentine was one of several artists from Southern California who explored new materials being developed for industrial use in the post-World War II era. He used cast polyester resin to create stunning, large-scale sculptures in the 1960s and 1970s. Gray Column was one of the last polyester pieces he made. Towering at 12 feet high and weighing approximately five thousand pounds, it was also one of his largest.
Valentine was strongly attracted by the optical properties of the resin: by sanding and polishing the surface, he was able to make sculptures with pristine surface finishes and varying translucencies. When he started working with resin, only small shapes could be cast because large pieces would crack during the curing process. Valentine experimented with the resin to develop his own formulation that was commercialized in 1966 by Hastings Plastics in Santa Monica under the name Valentine MasKast Resin®. With this new resin he was able to create giant circles, slabs, and columns of solid polyester.
Exhibition audio: Gray Column’s Pristine Surface
Exhibition audio: Pouring Gray Column
Works of Art
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Red Concave Circle, 1970, De Wain Valentine. Cast polyester resin. 96 x 96 x 12 in. Bank of America Collection. © De Wain Valentine. Photo: Harry Drinkwater
Explore the Archive
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Video: The story behind the making of Gray Column, from its original concept to its display at the Getty Center, includes a wealth of stunning archival images taken during Gray Column’s creation.
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Video: Learn about the research and activities of the Getty Conservation Institute that went into the planning of the exhibition From Start to Finish: De Wain Valentine's Gray Column.
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Video: Surface Matters—learn about the role of and upkeep for the pristine surfaces on De Wain Valentine's sculptures through the work of the Getty Conservation Institute.
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Video: MasKast Resin, the polyester developed by De Wain Valentine to create his large-scale sculptures, is explored by the Getty Conservation Institute.
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Video: De Wain Valentine and the L.A. Art Scene in the 1960s and 70s is explored by the Getty Conservation Institute.
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De Wain Valentine in front of Gray Column, 1975–76, during the polishing stage. © De Wain Valentine. Photo courtesy of De Wain Valentine
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De Wain Valentine polishing Gray Column in 1976. © De Wain Valentine. Photo courtesy of De Wain Valentine
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De Wain Valentine in his Venice studio. Photo: © Cathy Weiner
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Slideshow: Gray Column moves from conservator Jack Brogan’s studio to the J. Paul Getty Museum, 2011. Artwork © De Wain Valentine
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De Wain Valentine and two of his studio assistants, Chris D'Arcangelo (left) and Keith Anderson (right), 1975–76. Photo © Cathy Weiner
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Slideshow: De Wain Valentine’s process of creating Gray Column, 1975–76. © De Wain Valentine. First, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 8th photo by and © Cathy Weiner; 2nd and 3rd photo by Sean Valentine
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Two Gray Walls, 1975–76, De Wain Valentine. Cast polyester resin. © De Wain Valentine. Photo courtesy of De Wain Valentine
