“Graham Lucks: Kinetic Sculpture and Michio Ihara: Works on Paper,” brings energy to light at Arthaus, Allentown.

“Graham Lucks creates abstract, kinetic and light sculptures that explore the unpredictability of movement, incorporating chance and complexity into otherwise minimalist designs,” says the exhibition’s curator Deborah Rabinsky.

“While employing engineering concepts and new technologies, the works’ simultaneously playful and meditative aspects evoke a sense of wonder,” Rabinsky says.

Complementing Lucks’ sculptures are drawings from the 1950s and photographs of large-scale public sculpture created by his late mentor, Michio Ihara.

“I met him in maybe 1992,” says Lucks about Ihara, who had his studio in Lucks’ hometown of Concord, Mass. “I started working for him at age of 16.”

After graduating from high school, Lucks received a Bachelors in engineering from Swarthmore College, then worked for Ihara for 25 years.

“He taught me everything I know about metalworking,” says Lucks, who traveled the world with his employer to assist with his large-scale projects.

Born in Paris in 1928 and raised in Japan, Ihara was a renowned Japanese sculptor who emigrated to the United States on a Fulbright Foundation grant in 1960. His multi-story works are on display at Rockefeller Center, New York City, and internationally.

“It has five pendulums that swing,” says Lucks about one of his own works in the exhibition, “Untitled” (2026; stainless steel, ball bearings, granite). “What I like about that, is you can still see through the stainless steel at other pieces as it is moving,” says Lucks.

“I generally don’t title my works. I hope the pieces kind of speak for themselves in a way,” Lucks says.

The exhibit includes wire sculpture and wired pieces that light up electronically.

Lucks has a studio at 520 Hamilton St., Allentown, in a facility run by ArtsQuest. His studio is a short walk to the Allentown Art Museum where his wife, Elaine Mehalakes, is vice president of curatorial affairs. The couple resides in Fountain Hill.

“Graham Lucks: Kinetic Sculpture and Michio Ihara: Works on Paper,” through June 10, Arthaus, 645 W. Hamilton St., Allentown. Gallery hours: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Tuesday - Saturday. Closed Sunday, Monday. 610-841-4866; refindallentown@gmail.com

“Gallery View” is a column about artists, exhibitions and galleries. To request coverage, email: Paul Willistein, Focus editor, pwillistein@tnonline.com