Calabashes
Title: Calabashes
Year: 2013
Media: Steel, Epoxy Paint
Size: 6’H x 16W’ x 6D
Location: Tucson, AZ
Commission: Pima Arts Council, Tucson, AZ
The calabash gourd, the inspiration for this artwork, grows well in the hot climate and sandy soil of the southwest and was essential to the well-being of indigenous people throughout the region. Calabash was used as a material for tools, storage for food and to transport water. The dumbbell-shaped calabash gourd also served as a symbol for the universe, two equal halves inextricably linked. They represent heaven and earth, Yin and Yang--balance and harmony. The work is installed at two streetcar stops in downtown Tucson. The elevated Calabashes, with its bright color and undulating form, serves as a gateway and invitation to travelers to explore the city’s diverse and lively cultural offerings.