Client: Guangzhou Jia Jie Investmant Company

Overview

Cappuccino is a residential/business development in the northern section of Guangzhou. The developer was wanting a signature artwork for the entrance to the complex. Her desire for a tree was incorporated into the design resulting in “Tree People”. The sculpture is about 3 meters in height on a 2 meter base. The figures were enlarged and cast in bronze.

Goals

The developer was interested in a design that reflected a positive and life affirming attitude with a contemporary feeling. She wanted the design to bring a sense of nature into the urban environment and to provide a theme for the project.

Process

I worked with an art curator and several translators as the developer and her staff did not speak English and I do not speak Chinese. At times communication was difficult, but eventually the design was agreed upon and I created a 50 cm moquette which was first critiqued by the curator and then approved by the developer. We contacted several foundries, choosing the foundry that I have been using for my small pieces, who enlarged and cast the sculptures.

Additional Information

This was the first big project I have done in China and I found difficulties in understanding the interests and ideas of the Chinese clients. I was only contracted to do the design, which was enlarged by the fabricators. This is a different style than what is done in the US, and I had to learn to communicate with the workers to see that my design was properly realized.