West Mall Plaza
SVCC West Mall Plaza Sculptures
Inaugural Year: 2024 - 2025
Thank you to Visit Rock Falls, RB&W District Art in the Park Sculpture Walk
for their generous help and support of the SVCC West Mall Plaza Sculptures.
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Artist: Gedion Nyanhongo |
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Gedion was born into an artistic family in Zimbabwe, Africa. During his youth, he watched his father, Claud Nyanhongo, a prominent artist and driving force within the innovative Shona Sculpture movement (unique to Zimbabwe) that began in the late 1950s and says: …although I was young, I remember loving it and knowing that it was what I wanted to do.” Gedion was mentored by internationally acclaimed sculptor Joseph Ndandarika (a friend of his father) and began his solo career in 1988 with his first exhibition opening at the Mabwe Gallery in Harare, Zimbabwe in 1989. Gedion Nyanhongo’s vision and skills have earned him international recognition as a sculptor of excellence. His works have been showcased in solo and group exhibitions at venues around the world, including: England, France, Germany, Holland, Hong Kong, South Africa, U.S.A, and Zimbabwe. Gedion’s work is included in both private and public collections. Gedion is now teaching and passing his knowledge and expertise to the next generation - his son Courage is a very talented sculptor in his own right. |
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Artist: David Zahn |
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David Zahn lives and works in Moline, Illinois. Originally from the Chicago area, he has been creating art work for many years. David creates imaginative sculptures, and is known for his bronze and ceramic pieces. His figure based artworks are interesting to look at containing some sort of mystery in them. Movement is another important aspect of David’s art. He likes to create intriguing juxtapositions of static and flowing forms in his imagery. Works by David Zahn can be found in public, private, and corporate collections. There are many pieces of his art on permanent public display both indoors, and outdoors, in Iowa, Illinois and other locations. |
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Artist: Jim Wolnosky |
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Jim's inspiration has been the great jazz and visual artists of the 50s and 60s, including Coltrane, Mingus, Henry Moore, Jean Arp and the wonderful Alexander Coulder. Another influence is the great musician Charlie Parker who would start with a few random notes, move them around and eventually come up with a composition. Parker called this process "the art of recovery". Riffing on this process, Jim will form a base, add layers of elements until he has "backed himself into a corner", recovered and finally end with a shape which is pleasing and moves with the breeze. Jim has lived and worked in semi-rural Bath, Michigan with fellow sculptor Pamela Timmons since the mid-70s. He shared that combining their studios and home has made it possible to craft a living space which suits them perfectly and makes it possible to live a rich life of creativity and contentment. A favorite quote of Jims from Duke Ellington is: "It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing." |
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