Art Column (ART DBG)' is an original signed ceramic sculpture by Robin Campo. It is a rare and early example of the artist's fanciful work, made only a year after he earned his Master of Arts from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and while he was developing his reputation through local galleries. Campo is here working in the later traditions of pop art by using the ceramic medium for trompe l'oeil effect: the sculpture is made to look like an oversize stack of toy wood blocks. The blocks spell "ART" on one side, and on the other "DBG" for the David Barnett Gallery in Milwaukee. To add to the play and whimsy of the blocks, they are carved on the side with images of animals, boats, and buildings. Even more, Campo has scrawled playful phrases and pop-culture references throughout, such as: "starving art sale, " "there's gold in them thar hills," and "Bugs Bunny." Thus the sculpture doesn't only pop from a distance, but it also captivates upon close inspection. 

Ceramic sculpture with spiral column base
17 x 8 x 8 inches, sculpture
33.75 x 9 x 9 inches, base with 2.38 inch steel support rod extending from top
50.75 x 9 x 9 inches, overall
Signed and dated on base of column