Artist: Phyllis Mantik deQuevedo
Title: Into the Wind
Medium: Bronze
Dimensions: 24"h x 14"w
Inspired by the Freesia - The Freesia is best known for its perseverance. My husband and I live in Oklahoma, which is famous for its storms! Several years ago, we were hit by a huge hail storm only to experience a second one the following spring. It was devastating to replace a roof after each storm. We feared we would lose everything in the garden that we had worked to so hard to cultivate. Amazingly, we lost very little. Within days, there were new blossoms on the bushes, and the flattened plants had regained their buoyancy. I know that it is sun, water, deep roots, and nourishment from the soil that allow them to thrive. I can relate to that. I am most nourished by a spiritual life and a depth of relationship with family and friends. It is there that I find an ability to persevere when the winds are high.
"Into the Wind" is a three-dimensional sculpture featuring a figurative representation of a woman and a freesia flower. The woman's pose is dynamic and fluid, capturing a sense of grace and movement. The dress suggests the flow of fabric and the petals of the flower. Her left leg is bent at the knee while her right leg extends elegantly behind her. Her head is tilted upward and to the side and the details of her face are gently sculpted. The sculpture's surface has a patina finish that varies in hue from warm golden to rich bronze tones, highlighting the curves and contours of the figure and her attire. The figure is mounted on a round, black base that grounds the piece and gives it stability for display.