TREASURES: SCULPTURE A GLIMPSE OF PAST WORKADAY WORLD
July 7, 1999 — Source: Naperville Sun, The (IL)
What: "Growth and Change" sculpture in the Century Walk exhibit
Where: 43 E. Jefferson Ave., in front of the Jefferson Hill Shops
Artist: Jack Holme, a Darien sculptor whose work is in several exhibits and private collections.
When dedicated: Oct. 19, 1997
Description: The 2,200-pound, 10-foot-tall sculpture is made of three bent panels of steel.
Welded onto the metal are the tools used in business, industry and the home more than 50 years ago.
These include a wrench, potato masher, iron, frying pan, pliers, rug beater, keys, horseshoes, pitchfork, wheels, railroad spikes and a hammer.
Each of the sculpture's three dominant pieces suggests an abstract implement.
The smooth exteriors represent the diverse, sophisticated and computerized hardware of the 20th century while the interior challenges the observer to identify the manual laborious tools of the past.
Background: Holmes' inspiration came from the changes that occurred in Naperville during the past 100 years.
After researching Naperville's history at Naper Settlement, he began to gather an assortment of antique tools which he found at two local farms, antiques shops and through a newspaper ad he placed seeking donations of these items.
He collected more than 90 tools and used a total of 83 in the piece.
The entire project took the artist about two months to complete.
Value of art: Holmes is often asked to speak to students about his art. "It's wonderful to think you are doing something to interest the young people," he said.
"The kind of approach used in art is quite related to English, mathematics and the sciences.
We all start at different levels.
We continue to grow if we are interested and apply ourselves.
That applies to every learning experience."
Students from Ss. Peter and Paul School visit the Growth and Change sculpture which celebrates objects used in the past. The sculpture is located at 43 E. Jefferson Ave., Naperville.
Section: NEWS — Page: 33
