Client: City of San Luis Obispo (Engineering Department)
Medium: Powder-coated steel
Size: 18' H x 8' W
Location: Creek Walk section of downtown Mission Plaza, San Luis Obispo, California
Date Installed: November, 1999
More Information: Project involved historical research, design and written proposal as well as the fabrication. Supervised installation performed by the “Creek Walk” contractor.
Plaque Information: The Chumash were the first inhabitants of the San Luis Obispo area, and were known for their colorful pictographs (rock paintings) in caves and on outcroppings. These pictographs were highly stylized, and many had magical or religious significance. Local artist Jim Jacobson chose human-like figures based on ancient pictographs. The pinwheel atop the collage represents a common theme found in many pictograph sites.
Color and design mimic the original pictographs, although the size is many times larger than the originals. Increasing awareness of other cultures and their artifacts helps us to realize our similarities and differences, and the fact that we have more in common than we may realize.
“The San Luis Obispo County Chumash Council appreciate this effort to recognize their people. They hope this sculpture will encourage admirers of the art work to seek out more information on the Chumash way of life, particularly during the Mission period.” — The SLO Chumash Council
Art in Public Places project for the City of San Luis Obispo |
