I tend to think of Cy Twombly more as a painter than a sculptor, although the artist has created sculptures throughout his career, as can be seen in this intimate exhibition at the Art Institute. Twombly’s sculptures tend to be composed of everyday found objects, put on a pedestal, and unified by a coat of white paint. This formalizes the objects as works of art, and gives them a timeless feel that is ethereal even while it is rough and tough. While the spare constructions are evocative of archaic relics, the presentation is absolutely modern. Their names of times and places suggest journal entries, sculptures of memories.

Untitled, Bassano in Teverina, 1989 Wood, plaster, nails, traces of red and blue paint, glue, and white paint

Untitled, New York, 1955 Wood, cloth, nails, and house paint

Untitled, Lexington, 1948 Wood, porcelain and metal knobs, cloth, and house paint