public art

r.e.s.p.e.c.t. - Legends park, memphis tn

This piece was commissioned to honor the old neighborhood Dixie Homes and its rich history. Baseball was very important in the neighborhood back in the heyday of the 30’s and 40’s. The Martin brothers, a prominent dentist and pharmacist had their practices located at Dixie Homes and would watch the boys playing ball at the back of the property. They later went on to be an integral part of the Negro Baseball League. Joe B. Scott was one of those kids from the neighborhood who moved to Chicago and later return to play for our very on Memphis Red Sox. But likely the most important to my client was to get away from the old image of “Dixie” and instill pride of a new day and bright future. The sun is the obvious symbology here but when designing this I had a choice to make up random musical notes or to have an actual music passage that was applicable and further the meaning. I chose the latter. I thought of all sorts of things...Flight of the Bumblebee, Take Me to the River by our very own Al Green...but when it came to me to use Aretha Franklin’s RESPECT, I remember nearly having an out of body experience. I got goose bumps, my hair stood on end, I felt this electrical surge through my body and my head tingled. It was magic. And truly one of those times when you can feel the divine flow through you. R.E.S.P.E.C.T…find out what it means to me.