“PETALOID,” 1968, painted steel, is from the exhibit “Adolph Gottlieb: Sculptor,” presented through Jan. 5 at the U-M Museum of Art. One of the founding members of the abstract expressionists, Gottlieb’s (1903-74) paintings, consisting of large images that evoke a universal language of symbols, have become icons in America painting. In 1967, he began to work in sculpture. Although Gottlieb’s foray into sculpture lasted only about a year and a half, the works represent a summation of his thinking about form, color and space. Photo courtesy Adolph and Esther Gottlieb Foundation.