Artist Suzy Hendrix
with "Throne Rococo Nouveau"
The Champaign County Forest Preserve District (CCFPD) is pleased to welcome "Throne Rococo Nouveau" by Suzy Hendrix (Memphis, TN) to the Mabery Gelvin Botanical Garden at Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve in Mahomet. The sculpture is part of the Public Art League's 2015 sculpture program.
Artist Suzy Hendrix states that she creates works of art that allow the public to interact with them. Even though most art is to be looked at but not touched, people are encouraged to sit in the "Throne Rococo Nouveau."
"Throne Rococo Nouveau" stands 57" x 59" and is constructed of concrete, fiberglass, steel rebar on Styrofoam, and covered in multi-colored mosaic tiles. Her inspiration for the piece came from the images of the ruins of Pompeii. The piece took over a year for the artist to complete, as she worked on it in her back yard during free time from other projects.
"Throne Rococo Nouveau" will be on display for two years in the Mabery Gelvin Botanical Garden thanks to a generous donation from Rosann Noel in memory of her mother, Mabery D. Gelvin, to whom the garden is dedicated.
"The vision for the Garden has always been to provide unique visitor experiences in a naturalized setting, for all to enjoy. This piece is now part of that tradition that we hope will continue into the future with additional pieces," said Daniel Olson, Executive Director of the Champaign County Forest Preserve District.
Dan Noel, President of the Forest Preserve Friends Foundation, was familiar with the mission of the Public art League (PAL), and knew the program was a good fit for the CCFPD's vision. "We knew the CCFPD was looking for ways to enhance the Garden, and knew that PAL's program makes it easy for agencies to get involved with public art. Our Foundation brought the groups together and sought donations for the lease of the artwork," said Dan Noel.
PAL is a not-for-profit organization that focuses on the installation and promotion of public artworks in the Champaign-Urbana area. PAL works with entities such as the CCFPD to bring art to public areas. Eric Robeson, Charter PAL board member stated, "We are very pleased to bring the first PAL artwork to the Champaign County Forest Preserve District and into Mahomet."
Additional information about the agencies involved in bringing the artwork to the CCFPD can be found below:
Champaign County Forest Preserve District
Forest Preserves Friends Foundation
Public Art League
