Client

Overview

“Faith” is a sculpture honoring Lisa Chesser Borders, who lost her battle with breast cancer in 2018 at age 49. The sculpture was unveiled on June 19, 2021. The cross was crafted by her husband, James Borders. The piece stands in front of the church his wife loved and is the first monumental contemporary sculpture in Natchitoches, LA.
“It’s ok. I am at peace. I know where I am going,” were her last words and they are inscribed upon a plaque at the base of her monument.
The sculpture is dedicated to “Three Strong Women”, his wife Lisa Chesser Borders, her mother Margaret P. Chesser, and his mother Avis Borders Fletcher whom both passed in 2020.
Borders persevered and completed the monument despite the obstacles set forth in 2020 and earlier this year, but he proceeded in faith.

Basic Information of sculpture: powder coated aluminum sculpture with steel inner structure, 32ft. x 10 ft.

Goals

I wanted to share my love and dedication to the arts with my community and this led to the creation of a public art monument. During the pandemic, the process of creating this piece alone brought the community together, engaging private citizens and city officials. One of the goals was recognition for the church and memorialize the life of three strong women. We also matched the brick pedestal work with the existing architecture. Another goal was to visually enhance the environment and enrich the community with the LED lights inviting everyone during holidays and special occasions to experience the light display. The names of loved ones who have passed away in the community are archived in brick pavers in front of the monument that invite and welcome everyone by honoring our past. The church in and of itself has evolved into a multifaceted entity, where members can transition from service inside to remembrance and celebration on the outside.

Process

Process included concept drawings, maquette, Rhino 3D programing, digital engineer drawings to full scale, metal fabrication, powder coat finish, concrete and masonry work, plaque design, flower bed, and landscaping with LED color changing lights programmed for each holiday and special occasions.

Additional Information

The aluminum sculpture with steel inner structure is 32ft. x 10 ft. This piece was created with different symbolisms in mind. The central rectangle structure represents the church that contains the trinity represented by three spheres. The rectangle has a negative space to represent the church always being open for new flock. There are seven arcs, five horizontal and two vertical, representing the seven days of creation and rest. The two vertical arcs represent the symbolic Ichthys. The height of 32 ft. represents the years Lisa and I were together.