A private commission using found steel from a local
mine, local river rock and a discarded crucible from
a bronze foundry.
The work is on a slope at the edge of a large meadow
in Colorado. The land is quite barren with native grasses
growing in poor soils, strong winds come from the mountain
tops further discouraging the growing of plants.
Each year in fall, when the land has had its life drained
from it the
prairie grass stands singular yet fragile within the
landscape.
The 'Yellow Ribbon' title is from the used printing
plates covering the lower curved shape. The zinc sheet
that is used as a printing plate still has the image
of what was printed left on its surface. The item being
printed was the cards the Yellow Ribbon organization
issues.
The Yellow Ribbon organization works to reduce and provides
a lifeline link to potential teenage suicide victims.
Working intuitively often gives me surprises.
When this sculpture was unveiled I gave a short talk
describing my process, how the piece evolved and where
the title came from.
Afterwards the owner mentioned to me that apart from
liking the work it also had greater meaning to her.
The greater depth was that she had spent a part of her
life working with suicide victims.
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