Breslow brings tree art to botanic garden
The abstract tree and stone sculptures of Jeffrey Breslow, formerly of Highland Park, will be on display starting today and running through Sunday, April 18, at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe. Breslow, who maintains a home and studio in the West Loop and a home in rural Vermont, collects dead maple and birch wood from the forest around his Vermont home, and primarily anchors them with granite boulders. He places smaller stones on various parts of the tree. “I look for trees that have died on their own,” he said. “It starts with a spectacular boulder that I find. Then, I try to find a piece of wood that makes sense for the boulder.” While he works on his art, he listens to contemporary jazz, which inspires the names of his pieces.
Breslow took up sculpture as he was preparing to leave the toy industry, where he had a 41-year career as a toy designer. In 1998, he was inducted into the Toy Manufacturers of America Hall of Fame and retired in 2008 as president and CEO of Big Monster Toys. He first did bronze figures, but became frustrated working with foundries and doing reproductions of his original pieces. After mounting some bronze pieces to trees, he realized he wanted to work with different materials. “Now I enjoy doing one of a kind pieces,” he said.
And, he believes his art is playful because of the time he spent in the toy industry. He’s doing kinetic pieces now, with moving parts. For example, he built a mechanism that can lift a 60-pound stone on a branch. “That comes from my years in the toy business,” he said.
Breslow will also show at the 12th Annual Chicago Art Open, between April 20 and May 7, at the River East Art Center in Chicago.
At the Chicago Flower & Garden Show
Media Releases
Chicago Flower & Garden Show at Navy Pier
Preview benefit “Evening in Bloom” supporting local green organizations.
Friday, March 5, 2010, 6:00p-9:30p
Show Hours, March 6-14, 2010
Monday – Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Sunday: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Jeffrey will be there for the Preview Benefit and on both weekends. For information, check with www.chicagoflower.com.