Woman with Birds by Michael Carey
MEDIA CONTACT:
Kate Patterson, Public Art Program Manager
(415) 252-4638 or kate.patterson@sfgov.org
San Francisco, March 10, 2009 - Luis R. Cancel, Director of Cultural Affairs of the San Francisco Arts Commission is pleased to announce the installation of a new sculpture by artist Michael Carey titled, Woman with Birds. Located on the front lawn of J.P. Murphy Clubhouse at 1960 9th Avenue near Pacheco Street, the 6-foot sculpture features a patina-finished cast bronze human figure with outstretched arms supporting three birds. The figure stands atop an 8-foot patina-finished mild-steel obelisk with twelve cut-out and reattached bird shapes.
“Michael Carey’s use of universal imagery to evoke a harmonious relationship between humankind and nature makes Woman with Birds an elegant focal point and an enduring symbol for the J.P. Murphy Clubhouse and the surrounding community,” stated Luis R. Cancel, Director of Cultural Affairs.
Based in the East Bay, Michael Carey exhibits his sculptures in galleries throughout California. He has participated in major large-scale sculpture installations throughout the state and has completed a number of public and private commissions in the Bay Area. Carey’s work often uses imagery that explores the deep spiritual link between humanity and nature. Drawing from basic themes and imagery—universal and timeless—the artist’s work explores the relationship of humans, nature and universal spiritual truth with the aim of creating art that all people can relate to in a profound and personal way.
“My intent with the sculpture for the J. P. Murphy playground is to celebrate the Center’s community purpose and natural setting by evoking a beneficent and free spirit in the work,” stated Michael Carey.
Woman with Birds was funded by the J.P. Murphy Clubhouse Renovation construction budget, in fulfillment of San Francisco’s Art Enrichment Ordinance, and produced by the Public Art Program of the San Francisco Arts Commission.
About the Arts Commission
Established by charter in 1932, the San Francisco Arts Commission is the City agency that champions the arts in San Francisco. Led by the belief that a creative cultural environment is essential to the City’s well-being, the Arts Commission programs permeate all aspects of city life from the murals and monuments under the care of the Civic Art Collection to the dance and theatre productions funded by Cultural Equity Grants, to the new generation of teen poets cultivated by the Writer’s Corp program. Visit our website at http://www.sfartscommission.org.
About the San Francisco Arts Commission and the Public Art Program
Established by charter in 1932, the San Francisco Arts Commission is the City agency that champions the arts in San Francisco. Led by the belief that a creative cultural environment is essential to the City’s well-being, the Arts Commission programs permeate all aspects of City life. Programs include: Civic Art Collection, Civic Design Review, Community Arts & Education, Cultural Equity Grants, Public Art, SFAC Gallery, Street Artist Licensing, and summer in the City Concert Series.
The Arts Commission’s Public Art Program was established by the City Arts Enrichment Ordinance in 1969, as one of the first of its kind in the country. The Public Art Program seeks to promote a diverse and stimulating cultural environment to enrich the lives of the city’s residents, visitors and employees. The Program encourages the creative interaction of artists, designers, city staff, officials and community members during the design of City projects in order to develop public art that is specific to the site and meaningful to the community.
