This sculpture popped up in downtown Mequoketa Iowa. it is called Gables by Daniel Caven. The sculpture is located at 129-141 S Main Street, Maquoketa, IA and was funded by the Meqoeketa Art Project.
The project was completed in 2018 and this is the artist’s statement about the piece… “The concept of ‘Gables’ is based on our small town’s residents; as it is composed of many different personalities from many different backgrounds and households. As diverse as each individual is, every resident resides under the same roof of community.
Maquoketa’s nickname, the “Timber City”, inspired the material palette for this piece. Looking to vernacular wood frame construction as the primary system, the project takes on a role of advancement to the centuries old technique. Conceptually, a singular gable creates an iconic symbol of home and when integrated with others gables it creates a three dimensional shelter. Adding more gabled systems creates a dynamic ever changing object for the downtown space.
‘Gables’ creates a visually appealing space that encourages interaction and a place of gathering, and creates a symbol and icon of community that acknowledges the people of Maquoketa.”
As I was sketching a local farmer stopped to look at what I was up too. His review of the sculpture was a little less esoteric. He said to me, ” It looks like Home Depot vomited this thing out downtown.”
The Byways of Iowa Public Art Initiative is placing public art throughout the communities of Iowa. To date over 17 communities have taken art in the initiative.
On this trip I also visited a painters studio called the Old City Hall Gallery. Work was arranged in all the rooms of the ground floor of the residence. It felt like a small museum of one artists work. Many of the paintings were accomplished portraits. I just knocked on the door and was eventually let in. Since I am assuming it is also a residence, you can’t just walk in. I was impressed with all the paintings. The work I saw was by Rose Frantzen who has gained national and international acclaim for her oil paintings from life that bring contemporary perspectives to a traditional alla prima approach. In addition to landscapes, still lifes, and figurative works, Frantzen creates serial and allegorical works that incorporate diverse stylistic elements along with gilding, stained glass, and mosaic. I was impressed by the abstract way she broke up come canvases into grid patterns that were also representational. I remember paintings being combines with unexpected found objects. Seeing her work made me want to study classic oil techniques at a renowned atelier. I have been painting digitally fo so long, I have forgotten what oil pints smell like. I kind of miss that smell and messiness.