Iconic Lichtenstein Sculptures Undergo Facelift At Hamptons Museum

WATER MILL, NY — Iconic Roy Lichtenstein sculptures have been restored in the Hamptons.

Recently, the Parrish Art Museum announced the completion of a major restoration of "Tokyo Brushstroke I & II" (1994).

Lichtenstein’s monumental sculptures are on long-term loan at the Parrish Art Museum in Water Mill from The Fuhrman Family Foundation. Situated in The Bacon Family South Meadow, the colorful, large-scale works have drawn visitors to the museum since their installation in 2014, becoming a cultural landmark and "beacon" for the East End community, museum officials said.

"We could not be happier with the restoration of this iconic work," said Glenn Fuhrman, who cofounded The Fuhrman Family Foundation together with his wife Amanda. "Whether driving along the neighboring highway, or strolling by up close, the vibrancy and joy of this great work makes you smile. I have no doubt that both Roy and Dorothy Lichtenstein would be thrilled with everything about how the Parrish has helped bring 'Tokyo Brushstroke I and II' to life for the current generation of viewers."

The restoration project was executed by American Stripping Co. of Manassas Park, VA, with expert consulting by Two Sticks Inc. Modern and Contemporary Art Conservation from New York City.

Locally, Eastern Scaffolding & Shoring, based in East Moriches, provided essential scaffolding and tenting.

The colors and paint for the restoration were "meticulously" researched, using the artist’s standard color reference swatches provided by the estate of Roy Lichtenstein in consultation with Julie Wolfe who wrote the first book-length study, Roy Lichtenstein: Outdoor Painted Sculpture, which examines the materials and techniques used in the fabrication and painting of Lichtenstein’s sculptures, museum officials said.

The colors were approved by the Estate of Roy Lichtenstein.

"I am thrilled that these spectacular sculptures have been returned to their original vibrant glory thanks to the incredible generosity of The Fuhrman Family Foundation and an amazing team," said Corinne Erni, Lewis B. and Dorothy Cullman chief curator of art and education, Deputy Director of Curatorial Affairs at the Parrish Art Museum.

"Roger Griffith, conservator, Two Sticks Inc. Modern and Contemporary Art Conservation, ensured the right colors were used, and James Sejd’s crew from ASCo did a remarkable job restoring the sculptures," she said. "It was a challenging undertaking and required utmost professionalism and attention to detail — working from three-story high scaffolding. We are also grateful to the Estate of Roy Lichtenstein and the Roy Lichtenstein Foundation for their guidance."

"Tokyo Brushstroke I & II" is made of painted and fabricated aluminum, crafted by Paul Amaral of Amaral Custom Fabrication in Rhode Island. Towering over the Parrish, Tokyo Brushstroke I stands 33-feet tall, with dimensions of 396 x 112 x 90 inches and a weight exceeding 12,000 lbs. Tokyo Brushstroke II stands 19 feet high and weighs about 5,000 lbs, positioned closer to Montauk Highway.

Part of a series of “brushstroke” sculptures created primarily in the 1990s, similar works can be found at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden and the Indianapolis Museum of Art.

According to the museum, Lichtenstein’s exploration of irony is evident in these pieces, as he noted, "It’s a symbol of something it isn’t, and that is part of the irony I’m interested in." The sculptures challenge the viewer to consider the contrast between the ephemeral brushstroke and the permanence of monumental art.

The presence of "Tokyo Brushstroke I & II" at the Parrish Art Museum highlights Lichtenstein’s long-standing relationship with the East End. Lichtenstein and his wife Dorothy became year-round residents of Southampton in 1970, forging a "deep and lasting connection with the Museum and the local community," the museum said.

In 1982, the Parrish Art Museum organized an exhibition of 48 Lichtenstein paintings spanning the years from 1951 to the early 1980s, featuring rarely seen early works, including the iconic "Look Mickey" (1961). Subsequent exhibitions include "The Prints of Roy Lichtenstein", organized by the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. (1995), and "Roy Lichtenstein: American Indian Encounters" (2006), which paired his works with Native American artifacts.

In the summer of 1995, the Museum brought Lichtenstein’s sculpture, "Modern Head" (1989), to Southampton’s Lake Agawam Park, further cementing his influence on the East End art scene.

Lichtenstein (1923 to 1997) was a leading figure of the American Pop Art movement, renowned for his large-scale paintings inspired by comic books and advertising. His works are celebrated for their bold colors, iconic imagery, and exploration of mass culture, making him one of the most influential artists of the 20th century.