from Rosalind Schneider

The recent death of Marian Griffiths has compelled me to write to you. I would like to insure that her extraordinary accomplishments are recognized in the art world.

Marian's tenure at the Sculpture Center was responsible for bringing a small traditionally based organization into the forefront of New York's art community. She had an incredible eye for discovering talent and a commitment to helping artists find their voice.  She was devoted to the emerging artist and gave first shows to important sculptors such as Petah Coyne. She embraced provocative concepts encouraging sculptors to create massive installations. Artists such as Jonathan Silver, Ursala von Rydingsvard, Beverly Semmes and Simon Lee had solo shows and Hanne Tierney converted the gallery into an experimental puppet theater. 

Marian was open to an expanded vision of sculpture showing media installations and performance well before it became mainstream. She brought sculpture outdoors to Roosevelt Island, showing artists such as Eve Sussman. She developed the sculpture exhibition program at Long Island University, Brooklyn that is on-going.

She was a visionary whose choices helped to define contemporary sculpture. She earned the respect and admiration of artists, critics and the press. I worked with her for 11 years as a development consultant.

Rosalind Schneider