Tuk Tuk outdoor sculpture exhibit celebrates the diversity of Devon Avenue in West Ridge
A colorful public art instillation unveiled Sunday in West Ridge celebrates the neighborhood’s diverse makeup through Tuk Tuks, small three-wheeled taxis popular in Southeast Asia and other countries.
Ten Tuk Tuk sculptures were officially introduced at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Sukhadia Corner, 2559 W. Devon Ave., as part of the “Tuk Tuks on Devon” exhibit. The sculptures represent various themes and are displayed on corners on a one-mile stretch from Bell to Sacramento avenues. The exhibit will be in place through the fall.
When sisters Carolina and Jessica Juarez were asked to design a sculpture, they immediately thought about doing something based around their immigrant roots. The sisters are from Guatemala and came to the United States when they were young children.
“Tuk Tuks also happen to be something that we use in Guatemala, so it was very easy to come up with the idea to pay tribute to our upbringing and what brought us to the United States,” Carolina Juarez said.
Once they had the idea, it only took the sisters and fellow artist Fausto Lopez a few days to make it a reality. They said the bright teal, blue, green and orange colors they chose for their sculpture were inspired by the indigenous colors of the Mayan people in Guatemala.
“This is such an exciting day. They’re absolutely gorgeous. I think it’s going to be such an added improvement to Devon Avenue, to the diversity of this street,” said Ald. Debra Silverstein (50th) at the ribbon-cutting.
The origins of the first Tuk Tuk are disputed, according to the Southeast Asia Globe, but the vehicle most likely emerged in Japan and Italy nearly 70 years ago. The vehicle quickly became established as the first choice for reliable, cheap and practical transportation in India and Thailand. It has since become popular across the globe.
Sandi Price, executive director of the Rogers Park Business Alliance, said the exhibit is a way to honor the community, as many West Ridge residents come from countries where the Tuk Tuk is widely used.
“It’s definitely a cultural thing. A lot of Southeast Asian countries use Tuk Tuks, and Devon Avenue is so diverse. We have Indians and Pakistanis, we have the kosher section,” Price said. “We got a little bit of everything. It’s a way to promote the community and the people that are here.”
She also hopes that the art installation can entice people who see the sculptures to eat at local restaurants and shop at businesses they may not normally visit. “We want them to come and tour, walk up and down the street,” Price said.
Devon Avenue is lined with stores catering to people from places like Bangladesh, Malaysia, India and beyond. A walk down the busy corridor reveals a store advertising traditional clothes from Burma, Indonesia and Pakistan; a Nepalese restaurant; and an Afghan supermarket.
Richard Trumbo, director of Music House School of Performing Arts on Devon, also designed one of the sculptures. His piece celebrates the diversity of Devon Avenue’s businesses with a time travel motif.
“It was a lot of fun to paint it,” Price said. “As soon as we had it up my daughter was watching people coming up and take their pictures with it. It’s exciting to see it not just up but in action, serving a purpose.”