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Description:
Three
curved walls by artists Niki Glen and Helen Helwig were created to
frame and enhance the building’s entryway. The surface of the walls
displays beautiful tile and river rock mosaics surrounded by
cultured stone and colored, textured Dryvit.
The
colors, textures and shapes of the handmade clay tiles were inspired
by the ancient Indian cultures of the area, the native plants of the
Sonoran Desert and the Rio Salado riparian system, as well as the
architectural and landscaping elements of the site. Many
symbolic references to night and day, the stars and the sun and
constellations and the importance of water, the earth and
many plants and vegetables as well as the river for the lives of
Native Americans living in the desert were alluded to in this piece.
The title of the piece refers to both the ancient Hohokam culture
and the mirror effect of the glass entrance as it reflects the
sculptures. The overall composition represents the layers within the
earth and connects the past with the present. The artist- designed
entryway creates a warm and friendly environment to be enjoyed as
people enter or walk past.
Funding:
This project was funded by the individual developer as a requirement
of Tempe's Art in Private Development Ordinance.
Artists’
biography:
Southwest Public
Art Group (SWPAG) specializes in high-quality public, corporate and
individual art commissions that both delight the eye and enhance
community life. Professional artists Helen Helwig and Niki Glen work
together to create high quality public art. Helwig brings more than
25 years of experience in clay design and fabrication, and Glen has
directed more than 50 community public art projects. Both artists
have directed many large-scale public art installations. Recent
projects have included installations at a hospital, a public
library, a new office complex entryway and a bus shelter. Current
projects underway include two freeway underpasses, a neighborhood
sidewalk mosaic and a memorial at a community college.
Helwig is an award-winning clay artist who
develops innovative glaze techniques and Glen is an outstanding
designer and muralist.
Artists’
statement:
The artists focus
upon mixed media mosaics and emphasize textures, relief and unified
color schemes. The artists have found collaboration to be a powerful
tool in the creative process and have worked with other artists,
architects, engineers, city officials and landscape architects on a
variety of public art projects. Often the artists develop a
sculptural structure or work with a new construction to showcase the
mosaics. As a result the artists have often designed block, stone or
metal forms as an integral part of the artwork. Each piece is site
specific and the colors often relate to or are inspired by the
colors of the surrounding environment. Helwig and Glen welcome and
encourage public participation in many pieces. SWPAG is also
committed to art that uplifts and educates the community. |
