Growth

The Work

Growth consists of 7 sculptures. Each piece, made of natural stone, refers in an abstract way to a piece of fruit cut in half. All of the stones are different in size and shape, but each has a flat surface which is decorated using a variety of materials and techniques, including carving and mosaic, with added smaller elements resembling the “seeds” in the stone fruit. The scale and location for the stones allows them to serve as a resting place from which viewers can enjoy the park setting.

Location #1, just off Kane Road, behind 435 Glenmore Rd., is made of granite. The flat surface is decorated with carving and 3 “seeds” of unknown stone material.

Location #2, further south along the pathway at the entrance to Sutton Glen Park (464 Sutton Crescent), is the site of 3 sculptures, 2 in one planting bed and a third in a bed across the pathway. In the first bed, the stone on its side is made of granite and its smooth, flat surface is decorated with 2 seeds of unknown stone material. The second stone is quartzite with a seed of granite / quartzite combination, surrounded by an onyx mosaic. Across the path, the third stone is quartzite with 2 small seeds of unknown stone material.

The third location is at a crossroads on the north-west side of 580 Yates Rd. This pond-side location houses 3 stones, one decorated with porcelain mosaic and one seed, another with a grey, white and black granite terrazzo surface and one seed, and a final stone with one seed of granite.

In the words of artist Karl Ciesluk, “I see my fruit as capsules awaiting the right conditions to grow and flourish into their glory before once more retreating to a dormant state to await renewal. Towns, villages and civilizations throughout history also experience this same process. The seeds of the fruits are a metaphor for the growth and change of your community - a symbol of renewal and celebration of growth, continually going through this cycle of dormancy and revival.”

The Project

The $40,000 commission was launched in August 2006. Nine submissions were received. The evaluation panel, with additional input from the Kelowna Museums’ conservator and City environmental staff, recommended Growth by Karl Ciesluk as the successful submission.

In making their submissions, artists were encouraged to reflect on the agricultural history of the Glenmore Valley, and the high degree of use of the linear pathway system by cyclists, pedestrians, families, and others. The art also needed to integrate with the natural setting and provide safe, easy interactivity for pathway users of all ages. Artists were invited to submit proposals for either a single piece at a park focal point or a series of companion pieces spread throughout the linear park.

The artist sourced the stones and commenced work on the project at his Ottawa studio. He came to Kelowna during the last week of August and prepared the 3 sites for installation. The sculptures arrived in Kelowna on August 29 and installation was completed the same day. The work was dedicated by Mayor Sharon Shepherd in April 2008.

The Artist

Sculptor Karl Ciesluk completed his formal art studies at schools in Stuttgart, Germany, Paros, Greece, and at the Ontario College of Art. His work has been featured in solo and group exhibitions and symposia internationally, including Canada, the US, India, Germany, the UK, Denmark, Hungary, and Japan. In addition to public art commissions in Canada, he has also completed commissions in Colorado, Texas, Alaska, Northern Ireland, and Germany.

Viewing

The work is located at 3 locations along Brandt's Creek Linear Park, between Kane Road and Yates Road in the Glenmore area of Kelowna.