Creating an experience

I asked myself, what art could I create for the Ancestors exhibit? i recognized the answer and immediately jumped into action. Grabbing my camera, I was off to one of the very powerful sights along the Sinnissippi River walk in Rockford,Illinois on a bright beautiful summer day. Over the next few days I was consumed with creating a visual to match the energy that touched me. That is one of the aspects represented to me in this piece - a visual of the past communicating the unseen. I see the four directions protected and evidencing safety offered unconditionally from our stones and giants from another time in evolution but very much available today. Later, in researching the original sculpture I found an article by James Auer written in the Milwaukee Journal,March,12,1988 titled Granite Giants Next for Terese Agnew. It states that the sculpture by Terese Agnew ( The Rockford Rock Guardians,in this picture) was made possible by a group of volunteers from the community coming together to help build the design and was part of a project called Art in the Parks coordinated with the Rockford Park District and the Rockford Art Museum, Rockford,Illinois. Ms. Agnew was inspired by a tall tale about the discovery of Rockford - a legend of a mysterious stone bullwork encountered by a group of 1st century canoists during a voyage of discovery down the river. "Through-out history there have been many guardians to protect people and sacred places. In popular culture we find fantastic possessors of power who seem to be the progeny of our desire to be guarded. My intent with this visual is that it is emblematic of our desire for a more pure breed of authority"she said. She also stated"that one of the enjoyable things about working with this stone is that is posses a timeless strength and power of its own. When completely carved and mounted the statues appear to have emerged from the river itself". It is my hope that the timeless power and protection from our unseen ancestors pops off the page for a powerful visual experience of energy and serves as a reminder of the safety and protection and community always available to us; which deserves to be honored for the much often unseen, unacknowledged devotion. May it also remind of the strong connection available in our communities often reflected in its art. In gratitude for the power and inspiration we can each be for each other.

This piece is for sale in the gallery of Life Force Arts Cen
You may visit the web site for Life Force Arts Center by following the Ancestors Exhibit section of my website or
http://www.lifeforcearts.org/site