Steeling beauty

Ken Morrow was a prolific artist who taught for 30 years at California State University, Chico, until his untimely death in 1985. Although he had exhibited in over 150 one-man shows, including a 1956 display at the Crocker Art Museum, his welded steel sculptures, accumulated in and out of his house and studio, had never been exposed publicly, and for the last 20 years were stored in an old barn in north Chico.

Until now. The Ken Morrow Memorial Collection spotlights 18 of those larger-than-life sculptures, along with a few paintings, at the Sacramento Fine Arts Center, 5330B Gibbons Drive (between Garfield and Walnut) in Carmichael, through May 27. This collection is presented with the Valley Sculpture Artists’ annual open sculpture exhibition.

Some of Morrow’s figures are biblically inspired and wear an intense countenance, like “Abraham and Sarah” and “Moses.” Others refer to indigenous cultures. Still others are whimsical, like the “Space Junk” that seems akin to sea life. For more information call (916) 359-7342.