Client: Allina Health Systems

Location: Coon Rapids, MN, United States

Completion date: 2015

Artwork budget: $56,000

Project Team

Artist

James Gabbert

Industry Resource

Wes Jones

Casting Creations of Minnesota, Inc.

Overview

The figure is cast bronze holding a "dreamcatcher". The "dreamcatcher" is constructed of stainless steel 1.9 inch diameter tube, eighth inch thick plate and cable and cable titings. Dimensions are 11.5 feet high x 8 feet wide x 3 feet deep.

Goals

This work is representative of my process of listening to key stakeholder. The result was a work that is as much theirs as it is mine. The intention of the commission was to honor, but not portray, Mercy Hospital’s beloved long time Chaplain. The sculpture emerged through numerous conversations. His widow said he believed God was “a big loving mama”. This became the larger than life-size, plus-size woman sitting and approachable with a ready lap. His successor told me he was deeply involved in the design of the Chapel’s stained-glass window: a contemporized “dreamcatcher” with flame representing the Holy Spirit. I echoed the idea with the dreamcatcher element. I learned the hospital staff voted to name the new garden: “Hope Garden”. This became the figure’s pose as an expression of hope. Always in mind was the support for patients and their families who seek solitude and strength from this Garden. These ideas, gleaned from multiple conversation came together to create “Hopes and Dreams”.

Process

The garden had been constructed before the commission was granted. I relied heavily upon Casting Creations having experience with stainless steel cabling and fittings from other projects.