Professor’s Innovative Steel Sculptures on Display in University’s Library

St. John’s University’s library on the Queens, NY, campus is the new home of four striking sculptures by artist Vincent Michael Poast, Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Communication Studies, St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

The loan of the sculptures, which enhances St. John’s commitment to art and creativity, allows students, faculty, and visitors to engage with Mr. Poast’s distinctive vision. The sculptures will remain on display indefinitely in the north and south wings of the third floor of St. Augustine Hall, offering an opportunity for quiet contemplation and artistic appreciation in an academic environment. Mr. Poast said the sculptures can inspire students, urging them to become more creative and daring. 

“The students in the library, studying or researching for their classes, can look up from their focused concentration and see these sculptures and reflect on art and life,” he said. “They might feel inspired in their academic pursuits and studies and engage in art and esthetic philosophies. It will expand their mind and be a moment of fulfillment.”

Mr. Poast is an accomplished sculptor, known for his innovative, stylized steel shapes. His work has been featured in galleries throughout the tristate area. 

The four sculptures are each made of steel and have titles that “reflect a sentiment revealed by the forms,” Mr. Poast said. They join the permanent sculpture Lux Aeterna that the University purchased from Mr. Poast several years ago. 

One of the pieces on loan is titled Poetic Dialogue, a reference to the novel The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe. Mr. Poast says his work reflects the mysteries seen in Ms. Radcliffe’s 1794 Gothic novel. 

Another is titled Wanting, and symbolizes a long-held desire, such as a longing and yearning, which is presented through an l-beam of steel, heated and stretched to its limit, and played out in a linear form. 

“I created these sculptures over many years, and probably all four of them within a period of 10 years,” Mr. Poast said. “They each have their connection to all of my works and are a work stream that continues today.” 

The loan of his sculptures reinforces St. John’s commitment to fostering a rich cultural atmosphere for students and faculty, said Caroline Fuchs ’04MLS, University Librarian, Dean of Libraries, and Professor, University Libraries. 

“We are grateful that Michael has generously loaned four of his magnificent steel sculptures to the University Libraries, where our students can appreciate them ,” Dean Fuchs said. “What a delightful way to interfuse the inspirational beauty of art with the academic learning spaces of our library.”