Lin Emery (1926–2021) was an internationally renowned American sculptor based in New Orleans, Louisiana. She is best known for her large-scale, polished aluminum kinetic sculptures that draw inspiration from natural elements and motion.
Early Life & Career
Born Lenore Emery in 1926, she adopted the name Lin at age 16. After studying at Columbia University, Syracuse University, and the Académie de la Grande Chaumière in Paris under the instruction of Ossip Zadkine, she moved to New Orleans, where she established her studio and built a prolific career spanning over six decades.
Artistic Style & Medium
Emery's signature works are kinetic sculptures designed to move fluidly with natural forces such as wind and water. Originally working with materials like bronze and welded metal, she later transitioned primarily to marine-grade polished aluminum to produce lightweight, reflective forms that rotate and interact with light and surrounding environments.
Notable Works & Legacy
Her public art commissions and fountain installations grace museums, corporate centers, and public parks around the world. Notable commissions include the Morrison Memorial Fountain at New Orleans City Hall, alongside numerous works featured in major collections and public spaces globally. Emery passed away in New Orleans in 2021 at the age of 94.