“Pendulum Machines & Copper Engravings”: Metal Works by Royal Miree

FLORENCE-The Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts is pleased to present the dynamic metal works of Birmingham artist, Royal Miree, beginning August 30 and continuing through October 8, 2026.

Royal has been sculpting for over thirty years—an art form he began exploring in junior high school under the instruction of Edward Lee Hendricks—Royal has only ever met two other people who work with metal in the way that he does, which is why his works are so unique. Royal explains that he makes “hand-fabricated metal works. The sculptures are interactive pieces based on pendulum movement.” The works are interactive in that they must be touched in order for the movement to occur: They are entirely kinetic, requiring no electronic technology to keep the movement going. The sculptures are based on balance, and Royal creates all the parts and pieces by hand with newly purchased raw materials. Most of them are his own ideas, and many are inspired by events throughout history—certain pieces can be seen as clues that add up to create a bigger picture or event.

The displayed sculptures at the KDAC are about 4-6 feet in width and each can weigh about 40 pounds or more. It may seem that the larger objects would take longer to create, however, according to Royal, the intricacy of the design determines the amount of time it will take to make the piece from beginning to end. “If there are a lot of parts and pieces, you have to engineer all those pieces. It could be a small piece of jewelry and still take a long time because of all the components,” Royal says.Royal’s exhibit will include some of his “Pendulum Machines,” elaborate copper engravings, and a number of metal wall quilts—with each work exhibiting his unique style. For more information and videos about Royal’s work, visit his website: www.royalmiree.com

The Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts is free and open to the public Monday – Friday from 9-4 and on Sundays from 1-4. The art center is located at 217 E. Tuscaloosa St. Florence, AL and can be reached by calling 256-760-6379 or visiting our website at www.florencealmuseums.com.

Media Release/Grace Ann Griffin
Outreach Coordinator
Florence Arts & Museums