philosophy
Public art is the intersection of art, landscape, politics and social practice. For over thirty years I have conceived, developed and maintained community-based initiatives that aim to link "a healthy environment with a healthy humanity." When blighted landscapes are transformed into sites of living art they can become neighborhoods of sustainable cultural and civic activity.
The major focus of my career has been the creation of ArtParks throughout the United States, most notably in Los Angeles County. The realization of an ArtPark combines landscape design, community organizing, educational outreach and civic negotiation with artistic visioning. It is a layered process that involves both grassroots and national fundraising, public-private partnerships, site activation through community-generated programs, and of course, a lot of physical labor.
How do communities build neighborhoods and how do neighborhoods build communities?
A leading question after all this time...
Is it by Revolution, Evolution, or Devolution?
An undeniably circular process…
in constant motion, shifting positions…
at what point does one begin?
-Tricia Ward