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SOM#087, Mico Kaufman, Youth Carry Guitar, Soldier Carrying Same Wounded Youth, 1973
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Contact jwbirks@hotmail.com
From the collection of John Birks
Bronze, 73.5 mm, 251 g
Numbers Issued: 1,700 Bronze, 175 Silver
FROM THE ARTIST
The obverse portrays a youth involved in a world of his own, echoing a mass phenomenon of recent history. In this composition, I have tried to reflect the moody intensity of self-expression. The precarious perch aims to further intensify the characteristic ungainly, though gracious and vital youth.
The reverse is “the other side of the coin”. Here, the same youth is represented as we have come to see him through centuries. He is constantly called to sacrifice for causes not his to question. The outline of this design suggests the contemporary symbol that has come to stand for peace.
As a whole, the medal is an artist's timely message and reminder to those who care to reflect, as we are pulling out of the Vietnam morass, that all our knowledge and philosophy has yet to help tame mankind's worst enemy -- man, himself. – Mico Kaufman, 1973
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Mico Kaufman was born in Roumania on January 3, 1924. His education was interrupted by World War II when he was interned in various forced labor concentration camps in his native land.
In 1947, as a refugee, he received a scholarship to the Accademia di Belle Arti in Rome. Four years later he came to the United States and became an American citizen. He has since worked in various studios acquiring a thorough knowledge of all sculpture including its most prosaic aspects.
Mr. Kaufman's sculpture has been widely exhibited at colleges and galleries, particularly throughout New England, where he teaches and lectures as well. His home and studio are in North Tewksbury, Massachusetts.
Mico Kaufman's recent awards include the Bronze Medal of Honor from Concord, Mass.; the Alma & Ulysses Ricci Award for Best Conservative Painting or Sculpture; First Prize in Sculpture from the Plymouth Arts Festival; and the NSAA Memorial Award from the North Shore Art Association in Gloucester, Mass.
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