CENTRE WELLINGTON – Take a big idea. And then make it bigger.
That’s what local artist Jefferson Campbell-Cooper of Hillsburgh did when he came up with his idea to create a ‘Moonscape’ arch that would be part of the outdoor Paths That Connect Us art project at the Elora Centre for the Arts.
“I wanted to give the impression that the bike rims were emerging from the ground and then arching over the path, and back into the ground” says Campbell-Cooper. “It symbolizes the ‘cycle’ of life, a beginning, a high arching mid point, and then the period where we emerge back into the earth. It’s a circular flow of life that connects us to each other, the earth, and to new beginnings.”
The sculpture incorporates 101 salvaged bike rims, donated by the community, symbolizing the beauty of found and repurposed objects while promoting the importance of biking and getting out in nature as a vital component to a healthy life.
“The theme of our art pathway project is connection,” stated Arts Centre executive director Lianne Carter.
“We feature artist-designed maps along the pathway to encourage people to explore the bike and walking trails within our community. This bike rim sculpture is a strong visual connection to that,” she says.
Campbell-Cooper didn’t fully realize the magnitude of his idea, and how difficult it would be to pull off. “There was definitely more welding than I expected,” he noted.
This is not Campbell-Cooper’s first bike-inspired art project. He has developed projects that come from his understanding of science, transportation and life experience that advocate for social consciousness and aspirations for a heightened human generosity and awareness.
For more information about the artist visit his website http://www.jeffersonsculpture.com/.
For more information about the bike rim sculpture and the behind-the-scenes of the process, visit the website at https://eloracentreforthearts.ca/projects/outdoor-pathways-project/meet-jefferson-campbell-cooper/.
