Client

Overview

These colorful figurative wall sculptures welcome visitors to the OB/GYN’s two floors of Region’s Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota. They are created from patterned fused glass and metal, and each measure 9 feet wide by 3 feet high. They are located in the main waiting room areas across from the elevators. The client wanted to commission original artwork that would reflect the diversity of the clients they serve. As this is an OB/GYN, the focus was on families and children of all ages.

Goals

The area surrounding this hospital is very diverse. It was very important to the client to have artwork that would embrace all people, regardless of their race, beliefs, sexual orientation and gender. We wanted people to be able to find their own identity within the artwork. We desired a wall sculpture that would erase the divisiveness in our communities. We all have hopes and dreams for our families and are much more alike than we are different from one another. We wanted to convey a message of hope and healing, to provide warmth and comfort, and relief from stress and anxiety. One way we did this was to portray the families in playful situations, with the kids being joyful.

Process

The art consultant, whom I have worked with on many projects over the years, contacted me to provide sketches for this project. She gave me the overview of what the client was looking for this artwork to convey, and the parameters within which we needed to work. She thought my figurative sculptures would be a great fit for the space.

My original sketches that I provided needed to be tweaked a bit, as the client wanted babies shown in more ways that people could relate to, as in a stroller and baby carrier. Because the artwork was being installed on a paneled wall, we needed to have a brighter finish on the metal, and lighter colors on the glass so it would have contrast to the wall.

Each of these wall sculptures was built in four separate sections, with stand-off’s attaching them securely to the wall. The depth from the wall is about 2 inches overall. I provided an installation template showing exactly how and where to put the people groupings together, which made the installation flawless.

People have commented to me that they love these sculptures, and their kids like pointing out which figure is their favorite. One woman commented that she sees herself and her child in the artwork, specifically how her child pulls on her hand, trying to show her something interesting.