New public art serves as park seating
The new art installations recently unveiled by Sugar Land’s civic arts division at two city parks go beyond traditional sculptures by being both aesthetically pleasing and functional.
In Oyster Creek Park, “Blue Bells” and “Lunaria” by Georgiabased artist Richard Herzog stand as functional art pieces — benches on which visitors can sit and enjoy the park.
“Blue Bells” was inspired by the bluebell plant, which Herzog said in a statement symbolized love, gratitude and humility.
“As an artist, I do not have the answers; I feel my role is more like an activist,” Herzog said. “I do not create work with a political agenda nor have a politically motivated view. My role is to bring awareness to our environment and aspects of its beauty to the society in which we live, in hopes of heightening awareness of the natural world and its stewardship.”
Lunaria, or the Silver Dollar plant, is named for its opalescent seed pods, recreated in Herzog’s sculpture with translucent acrylic panels.
“Lunaria and Blue Bells are a testament to the ability that art has to not only be utilitarian but also to beautify,” said Sha Davis, Sugar Land’s civic arts manager. “Oyster Creek Park was the ideal place to see this theory at work.”
The sculptures are meant to exemplify the intersection of art and utility and stand as a testament to the transformative power of public art.
Artist Carol May recently unveiled a new installation in her series “Whose Leaf is Ever Green,” in Brazos River Park.
The art benches are inspired by the poetry of Emily Dickinson and the sturdy oak trees of eastern Fort Bend County.
“We loosely based our forms on leaf imagery, abstracting the design to craft a comforting sculpture that shelters visitors from the elements and provides a place to rest,” May said.
The bench is made of durable and rust-resistant stainless steel and aluminum plate materials, its surface powder-coated with a UV barrier, May said.
“The continuation of functional art installations around the city of Sugar Land serves as a way to push art into the everyday function of our incredible city,” Davis said. “These incredible pieces are proving that not only can art enhance the natural beauty of Sugar Land but also serve a greater purpose.”