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Sculpting Mathematics

Morton C. Bradley Jr. was a curious and ambitious intellect and artist. He studied fine art at Harvard University, graduating in 1933; his scholarship led him to pursue studies in color science and theory. His professor Arthur Pope was a great influence on his sculptural work, especially Pope’s theories on color, design, and aesthetics. These theories are manifest in Bradley’s use of color in relationship to geometric forms.

Bradley created sculptures, designed to be suspended from ceilings, that explored mathematics and color. Before computer technology allowed for quick constructions of complex geometric forms, Bradley worked with a team of fabricators to build his sculptures. This team comprised the Bradley Workshop, and each person was responsible for a specific part in building the sculptures—from piecing together materials to painting the finished constructions.

Though he had the opportunity to do so, Bradley never sold his work. Upon his death in 2004, his collection was bequeathed to Indiana University, where he had family history. To commemorate and recognize the gift of Bradley’s sculptures, Indiania University published Color and Form: The Geometric Sculptures of Morton C. Bradley.

Marquand Books produced the 148-page book, which was designed by Brian Garvey with the assistance of Tina Kim. Color and Form features more than 145 color illustrations, essays by Lynn Gamwell and Evan Turner, and details on each member of Bradley’s Workshop.

To learn more about Bradley’s sculptures, visit Indiana University. To purchase a copy of Color and Form, go to Indiana University Press.