About

Syl has had a dual career in art and architecture for a half century.  An honors graduate of Carnegie Institute of Technology (now Carnegie Mellon University) and a Fulbright Scholar at the Technological Institute of Delft, The Netherlands, he also served in the Army Corps of Engineers.

An early interest in ceramics, while at Carnegie, evolved into painting and sculpture with the influence of his painter wife, Lu.  A consistent prizewinner for decades, he also has executed major commissions for private, public and corporate patrons.

His architectural practice spanned over 60 years and included national roles as President of The American Institute of Architects, Chancellor of the AIA College of Fellows and Chair of the American Architectural Foundation; he has received the Distinguished Achievement Award from Carnegie Mellon University.

His sculpture represents a strong commitment to nature, conservation, light, mathematics and craftsmanship; the images represent three distinct phases of his work:

• The early period includes reinforced cement constructions and assemblies – an obvious architectural influence.
• The middle period, of lacquered and enameled pieces, were a response to ‘minimal’ work of the period – but continued to express the interest in landscapes, light and math (e.g. Fibonacci).
• The latest period continues to explore the commitment to nature and conservation – both in design and material, and now includes functional furniture as art – greatly influenced by his late friend and collaborator, George Nakashima, who found unique ways “to give new life to trees” and who raised ‘craftsmanship’ to a new level.

Commissions
Westinghouse Energy Center, Monroeville, PA
Urban Redevelopment Authority, City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny Square
Gateway Studios, Pittsburgh, PA
Marshall Park, Uniontown, PA
Carnegie Mellon University
Latrobe General Hospital
Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, Pittsburgh Branch
The American Architectural Foundation, Washington, DC

Collections
Museum of Art, The Carnegie
Westmoreland Museum of Art, Greensburg, PA
Westinghouse Electric Corporation, Corporate Headquarters
Koppers Company, Corporate Headquarters
Jones and Laughlin Steel Corporation
PPG Industries
Pittsburgh Public Schools

Exhibitions
Carnegie Museum of Art
Westmoreland Museum of Art
Contemporary Pennsylvania Sculpture, Inaugural Exhibition, Harrisburg, PA
Ten Leading Contemporary American Artists, Madden Galleries, London
Berman Gallery, New York
Associated Artists of Pittsburgh/Annual Exhibitions at The Carnegie
Society of Sculptors Annual Exhibitions
Pittsburgh Plan for Art
Three Rivers Arts Festivals
Group a
Westmoreland Museum of Art
Community College of Allegheny County