From the City of Sugar Land:
The city of Sugar Land Civic Arts Division (SLCAD) recently enhanced public art offerings with the installation of two stunning benches created by Artist Richard Herzog.
The functional art series, now graced by “Blue Bells” and “Lunaria,” stands as a testament to the power of art to both serve a purpose and elevate the beauty of public spaces.
Inspired by the Bluebell (Hyacinthoides) plant, “Blue Bells” is the first masterpiece in Herzog’s collection. In his statement, the artist describes how the piece captures the essence of the dangling purple-blue flowers that symbolize love, gratitude, and humility. Positioned in Oyster Creek Park, this functional art installation provides a serene and picturesque setting for visitors to relax and immerse themselves in the beauty of nature, creating a unique connection between art and the environment.
Herzog, known for his dedication to environmental awareness through art, shares: “As an artist, I do not have the answers; I feel my role is more like an activist. I do not create work with a political agenda nor have a politically motivated view. My role is to bring awareness to our environment and aspects of its beauty to the society in which we live, in hopes of heightening awareness of the natural world and its stewardship.”
The second addition to the functional art series is “Lunaria,” inspired by the dried Silver Dollar plant. This installation promises to create a captivating interplay of diffused light and shade as translucent acrylic panels dapple the ground. Positioned for individuals to rest and enjoy the peaceful surroundings, “Lunaria” brings tranquility and good fortune to the heart of the community.
Sugar Land’s Civic Arts Manager, Sha Davis, expressed her enthusiasm for the new installations, stating: “Lunaria and Blue Bells are a testament to the ability that art has to not only be utilitarian but also to beautify. Oyster Creek Park was the ideal place to see this theory at work.”
These new additions to the city’s functional art series exemplify the commitment to enriching public spaces through the infusion of artistic expression, fostering a sense of community and appreciation for the natural world.
About Richard Herzog, of Athens, Georgia
Richard Herzog has created outdoor sculptures and installations professionally for more than 20 years. His works have been included in exhibitions throughout the US included New York, Chicago, Atlanta, Miami and internationally in more than 100 group, solo and outdoor exhibitions. For the past few years his focus has been on public art and outdoor sculpture creating works that bring awareness to our surrounding environment using manufactured materials that bridge the gap of man-made and natural. These works have explored a variety of themes some as grand as climate change while others a mundane as storm damage to our forests and everywhere in between. His works have been cited in Sculpture Magazine as being “electrified ..,by day” and The Chicago Sun Times as “representing the grit and grace of the contemporary south”, Herzog creates works that bridge the absurd and beautiful while highlighting man’s disconnection form the environment in which we live.
https://www.rickherzog.com/
About Sugar Land Civic Arts
Sugar Land Civic Arts (SLCAD) aims to foster a vibrant artistic community that enriches the lives of residents and visitors alike. Through collaborations with artists, community members, and cultural institutions, Sugar Land Civic Arts is committed to shaping Sugar Land into a flourishing arts destination.
