Client: Utah Valley University
Location: Orem, UT, United States
Completion date: 2016
Artwork budget: $3,500,000
Project Team
Artist
Tom Holdman
Holdman Studios
Artist
Cameron Oscarson
Holdman Studios
Artist
Michelle Wayman
Holdman Studios
Artist
Nick Laywer
Holdman Studios
Artist
Dallin Orr
Holdman Studios
Art Consultant
Ross Wolfley
Holdman Studios
Artist
Shae Anderson
Holdman Studios
Art Consultant
Trevor Peterson
Holdman Studuios
Artist
Michael Bradford
Holdman Studios
Artist
Debora Zalazar
Holdman Studios South
Artist
Claudio Correa
Holdman Studios South
Art Consultant
Matthew Holland
President, Utah Valley University
Artist
Sylvia Laks
Overview
The Roots of Knowledge is a stained glass masterpiece measuring 10′ by 200′. Located in the Bingham Gallery of the Fulton Library at Utah Valley University (“UVU”), this artglass window artistically tells the story of Humankind’s gaining of knowledge through recorded history. Within the windows are 43,000 pieces of cut, hand-painted, carved, fused, and blown glass. Included in the mural are artifacts, such as computer chips, ancient coins, fossils, and even a piece of the Berlin Wall.
Goals
The original design was conceptualized by Tom Holdman to show the power of the individual and the difference one can make in the world.
Process
Holdman Studios designers worked closely with a team of UVU scholars and students to design each of the 80 windows. Once each window was designed, a team of Holdman Studios artists hand-painted thousands of the individual glass pieces and another Holdman Studios team built, insulated and installed the completed windows. This project has become the UVU Engaged Learning “poster child” by successfully combining the talents of students and faculty with the Holdman Studios team to create this new form of educating.
The ten-year project was completed on time and unveiled on 18 November 2016. The visual art of the Roots of Knowledge is an international language that continues to make an impact every day to those visiting the gallery.
Additional Information
Before final installation, a few of the Roots of Knowledge windows were shipped to New York, Oxford University and London for short exhibitions. The Roots of Knowledge received rave reviews. The British daily newspaper, The Guardian, stated "The Roots of Knowledge is the most impressive and significant project in the last 100 years or so."