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John Killmaster’s “Untitled”

Photo of abstract sculpture located outside of a Boise State campus building. Sidewalk and stairs in foreground.

“Untitled” is a sculpture by John Killmaster located outside the Special Events Center. Killmaster taught in the Art Department from 1970 to 1997. He began using porcelain enamel on metals in 1974 with funds from the Idaho Arts Commission. He created this work during his Western States Arts Foundation fellowship, and he designed the piece with the intention of locating it outside of the newly built Special Events Center to celebrate its opening. The response to the art professor’s 1976 installation was loud and mixed. In response to those who claimed his piece was “gaudy,” Killmaster said “[they] didn’t realize I was using the SPEC as my inspiration . . . The piece looks low and horizontal just like the Center.” 

Written by Rachel Taylor, Summer 2019 intern