Ode to the Wind–SOLD
by Lauri Sturdivant
Photo by Cate Clother
Christine, the new owner, checking out the view of “Ode to the Wind” as it will appear hanging in her home, photo by Linda Price
Ode to the Wind is a large-scale wall sculpture created by Sharon Swingle for the ABOUT, FACE exhibition at SAM, curated by Cynthia Henderson. At the opening reception several of us stood by Ode to the Wind pondering on who would buy this dynamic art piece. I visualized it hanging in a big city professional waiting room, bank or corporate building. In my opinion the piece needs space to fully appreciate the windiness of her.
Ode to the Wind was purchased by private collectors Christine Hartmann and her husband. I spoke with Christine about her purchase. Then I had a chat with the artist Sharon Swingle.
Lauri Sturdivant: Congratulations on your purchase of Ode to the Wind. Was it love at first sight?
Christine Hartmann: Ode to the Wind tapped into an impulse that happens in my life. It was love at first sight. I was attracted to her wildness blowing positive life forces of God. Her soulful loving eyes remind me of Gaia. I have a spot waiting for her in our home. Our entry way is 20 feet tall. Above the door there is a transom she will hang there where we will see her everyday. I want our grandchildren to have the experience of her when they visit. I want them to grow up with art.
Lauri: Why is it important to you to buy original art?
Christine: The purity of creation that Sharon has put into Ode to the Wind captured my heart. It is important to support the creative soul of an artist versus getting the best price or something to match the sofa. Buying locally made art from SAM supports the community. We support SAM as members, patrons and have donated our artworks for the Building Fund. Buying art supports the livelihood of artists and allows them to live their best creative lives.
“Ode to the Wind” in its original installation (a storefront in Weed), at night, where she was lit to provide longer viewing for the dark windier days, photo by Sharon Swingle.
Lauri: What inspired this piece?
Sharon Swingle: Ode to the Wind represents a personification of the force that has been so consequential to both the establishment and destruction of the town of Weed. Much like Percy Shelly's poem, Ode to the West Wind that the title alludes to, it reminds us of the wind's power as a dramatic force of change.
I envisioned her as one of the "windheads" from ancient maps, usually depicted as an old man with a long beard on a cloud. I often strive to show more representation of women in my art and she turned out just as I envisioned her.
Lauri: What materials do you use for this sculpture?
Sharon: She is made of layers of laminated XPS foam used in home sound insulation, but also a popular material for sculpting due to its density, durability and ease of carving. I love it most for being so lightweight. It carves with a hot knife, then sanding and finishing is not much different than wood. The only limit I have to the size of a sculpture is that I can still fit it in my car. As you can see from that picture, she just barely fit to bring her to SAM.
Transporting her entry to Ode to the Wind on its way to SAM, photo by Sharon Swingle.
Lauri: What does it mean to you to sell your artwork?
Sharon: I am so happy that Ode has a home with someone who loves her! I spend so much time on my sculptures they seem to have a life of their own. Ode has been shown throughout the county, so I see this as her well earned retirement, lol. Her size helped her command a presence, but also meant, there were few places where she could be displayed. Others have been interested in purchasing her, but she ended up being just too big for their space. It sounds like she has found just the right fit. I am so grateful to her buyer, and both SAM and Cynthia Henderson for inviting Ode into their show, ABOUT, FACE.
Visitors can view Ode to the Wind and other mixed media faces in the show ABOUT, FACE which runs through July 5, 2025.
