Client: Asian Counseling and Referral Service
Location: Seattle, WA, United States
Completion date: 2008
Artwork budget: $50,000
Project Team
Artist
Horatio Law
Public Art Agent
Jocelyn Lui
Asian Counseling and Referral Service
Client
Asian Counseling and Referral Service
Asian Counseling and Referral Service
Other
Brett Binford
Mudsharks Studios
Other
Jim Schmidt
Art & Design Works, LLC
Overview
The Gilded Bowl Column is created for the stairwell of the Asian Counseling and Referral Service’s (ACRS) new headquarter in South Seattle, Washington. The sculpture is 4.5-feet-wide in diameter and 16 feet in height, suspended from the ceiling of the stairwell. The artwork spans the three floors of the atrium and has an aluminum framework that supports 192 one-foot-wide bowls. The inside of each bowl is gilded with gold glaze, and arranged facing outward to the stairways. The outside of each bowl is decorated by individuals related to the organization.
Goals
The goals of the commission artwork is to honor the strength and tenacity of the Asian and Pacific Islander community, and to pay homage to the contribution of the individuals who work for Asian Counseling and Referral Service. The project space becomes a place for sharing stories and life experiences, and the project gives community members a sense of ownership with the artwork and the space it occupies.
Process
The artist held glazing workshops for the individuals related to ACRS--clients, volunteers, staffs and board members. They were active collaborators in creating the artwork by depicting their life stories and experiences, and showcasing their artistic talents on the bowls. The ceramic bowls were custom-cast by Mudsharks Studios, which were also responsible for the multiple stages of firing of the glazed bowls and putting on the finishing gold and clear glazes.