Peopled Place - Part Two
The Work
A brightly-coloured arch welcomes visitors to a small seating area tucked along the east side of Pandosy street in the heart of the commercial district. The arch leads to a stainless steel tower filled with artifacts and implements chronicling the Okanagan's agricultural and industrial past.
A stainless steel flag and a stainless steel ball adorn the top of each piece. The sculptures encourage social interaction and self-reflection as viewers ponder their own past. The tower in the centre of the square is over 3.5m high and constructed of 6mm stainless steel. Incorporating a variety of historical implements, the piece chronicles an earlier era in the Okanagan. The archway is constructed of 10cm x 15cm aluminum tubing reaching over 5m high. The stacked balls represent recreation and play, laughter and joy, welcoming visitors to the small urban square.
The Project
The first stage of the competition attracted 18 submissions. Three candidates were shortlisted and the second stage of the competition culminated in the choice of Byron Johnston’s winning design.
Johnston collected implements from various farmers and orchardists throughout the valley, then welded them within the stainless steel frame. The $18,000 commission was completed and installed in the early fall of 2000. An official unveiling ceremony was held in September 2000.
The Artist
Born in Kelowna, Byron Johnston holds a Master’s Degree in Fine Arts (Sculpture) from the University of California in Santa Barbara, a B.F.A. from the University of Victoria, Victoria, B.C. and a teaching degree from Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, B.C.
During the 1970’s Byron worked as a shipwright and building contractor in Vancouver and Victoria; a decade later he found himself drawn back to sculpture, completing his M.F.A. in 1990. Through his art he hopes to awaken viewers’ environmental sensitivity towards both natural and the urban environments. His interests are installation art, environmental and public sculpture, and participatory and perceptual sculpture. A recipient of numerous art scholarships and fellowships, his work has been extensively exhibited in solo and group exhibitions and public art installations in Canada, the US, and internationally.
