Mico Memories

Written by jenniferaradhya

“My work reflects on the bonds that substantiate our humanity.”

– Sculptor Mico Kaufman

Sad but true, it has been a long time since I have been to a museum, a gallery or even traveled. The pandemic has changed much – I have even moved my art studio closer. So, this Restless Art Syndrome post is about one of my favorite local art moments from 2018 that after discovering an album of photos on my phone is too good not to share with other art lovers.

Mico Kaufman

If you are not already acquainted, please allow me to introduce you to the work of internationally celebrated local sculptor Mico Kaufman (1924 – 2016.) I met Mico posthumously in the summer of 2018, when a former employer, knowing my love of art, provided an amazing opportunity to facilitate a significant acquisition from Mico Kaufman’s estate by creating a proposal and a display plan. It was a art lovers dream come true. The Mico H. Kaufman Revocable Trust was charged with handling Kaufman’s estate.

Elsie Howell

After spending hours in Mico’s home/studio, combing through his sculptures, artifacts and tools I have a strong sense of his aesthetic and tremendous volume of work. I spent a lot of time asking many questions about Mico and his work to his long time partner Elsie Howell. She was generous with her time and knowledge. I felt for Elsie as she had a tremendous burden to find suitable homes Mico’s work while ensuring his legacy, she took this job very seriously. I admired her deeply. Of note, Elsie was a pioneer in her own right. She was a nurse who had worked among the Navajo Indians in New Mexico in the 60s. She was a fierce advocate and I am sure Mico understood that his legacy was secure in Elsie’s strong and capable hands.

Upon his death, pieces from his collection were donated to local institutions in Massachusetts including Tewksbury Public Library, Middlesex Community College, the Rolling Ridge Conference Center in North Andover, and University of Massachusetts Lowell.

About Mico Kaufman

Mico Kaufman was born in Buzău, Romania on January 3, 1924. He was educated at the Academy of Fine Arts in Rome, and the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence, Italy. For three years during World War 2, Kaufman worked in a forced labor camp. He left the camp at the age of 21 and eventually immigrated to the United States in 1951 and moved to Tewksbury, Mass. in 1964.

Kaufman, who lived and had a studio in Tewksbury was considered one of the premier medalists of his time. He designed inaugural medals for U.S. presidents Gerald R. Ford, Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush. His work is included in the permanent collections of the American Numismatic Society, the British Museum and the Smithsonian Institute, and numerous private collections.

Kyriakides_Marathon_Hopkington_statue
“The Spirit of the Marathon”

His local public-art commissions includes “Debussy” (1987), a tribute to composer Claude Debussy situated on the campus of UMass Lowell. (The Debussy sculpture can also be found in Saint Germain en Laye, France, the composer’s birthplace.) “The Spirit of the Marathon” statue in Hopkinton at the one-mile mark of the Boston Marathon, created by Mico Kaufman and installed in 2006.

“Homage to Women”

“Homage to Women” (1984), inspired by the mill girls of the Industrial Revolution, located at Market and Palmer streets in Lowell – is my favorite Mico sculpture. Homage to Women has become such an iconic image for the City of Lowell. I loved it before I knew anything about Mico. This larger-than-life sculpture of five intertwined figures is a tribute to Lowell’s nineteenth century “mill girls,” yet it also celebrates the contributions made by women throughout time. The statue suggests the struggles and aspirations of working women everywhere. The figures are intended to represent women of different races.

“Women all over the world have one trait in common. They work, they work hard, and their work is unheralded.”

– Sculptor Mico Kaufman

Views of Mico Kaufman’s Studio

I love seeing how artist work, it is fascinating to see the materials used, sketches, how they organize their work space. The process of how art is created is so interesting. From local artists, visiting Western Ave Studios (Lowell), ArtSpace (Maynard), etc. to some of the greats: Homer, Wright and more – seeing artists’ studios is a real peek behind the curtain. You can learn so much about the artist. I remember visiting Norman Rockwell’s studio and his space was very much like his art – organized, bright and spotless.

Want to visit other famous artist studios? see this link.

If you have favorite studios you have visited, drop the details in comments.)

Mico Kaufman lived and created in his home in Tewksbury, Mass. Mico’s studio was fastidiously well-organized. Considering the length of his career, time in this space and broad range of materials (wax, clay, plaster, metal and plastics), it was amazing to see how he kept it tidy. He worked in Tewksbury from 1964 up until his death in 2016.

Take a look at the gallery of studio views, I kept expecting the master to appear to continue his beautiful work:

Views of Mico Kaufman’s Memorabilia

I love artist ephemera. I am obsessed with letters, journals, and sketchbooks of artists for the same reason I like viewing their studios – to learn more about them. I loved to see what was meaningful enough for Mico to put on his walls. In this case, it was local celebrities: An Wang a Chinese–American computer engineer and inventor, and co-founder of computer company Wang Laboratories, which was known primarily for its dedicated word processing machines whose name was all over Lowell in the 80s; Lowell’s Paul Tsongas, a 1992 Democratic presidential primary candidate who represented Massachusetts in both houses of the United States Congress, holding office from 1975 to 1985 and Arthur Fiedler, an American conductor known for his association with the Boston Symphony and Boston Pops orchestras. Other photos and personal notes included: U.S. presidents Gerald R. Ford, Ronald Reagan, and George H. W. Bush – all of who Mico designed inaugural medals for. One of my favorite items was an autographed French mime Marcel Marceau poster with Marcel’s death notice and another related press clipping.

Mico’s Sculptures

Some views of Mico’s sculptures: wax, reliefs, small bronze cast and full size execution.

The days that I spent in Mico’s studio are something I will never forget. Walking in the footsteps of this Master Sculptor, creator of one of my favorite sculptures, Homage to Women, was a gift.

My Mico

As part of the acquisition, we agreed to video document Mico Kaufman’s studio and collection for the trust. My colleague at the time and I took this task very seriously and knew what this meant to Elsie. After sending the footage to the Trust, I received a lovely handwritten note of thanks from Elsie that I keep to this day – it was incredibly touching.

I had the opportunity to purchase a Mico Kaufman, a small but glorious wax sculpture that was never cast, of a female torso coming out of a leaf. I connected to Mico’s female forms and his view of women that had respect for strength and beauty. Now, I just need to find a foundry to cast this beauty. (Any tips – drop in the comments…)

For a deeper dive

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