Public Art & Commissions
1st February 2018
In addition to museum and gallery shows, Preston Singletary has also created several public art and site-specific installations, with more being completed in the upcoming year. Upcoming works of art will be installed in Anchorage, AK. and Seattle, WA. Below are examples of recent large-scale pieces created by Singletary.
Tlingit Dancing Staff
In 2017 artists Preston Singletary and David Franklin began work with the Regional Arts & Culture Council in Portland OR. to design a large-scale public art piece in the Pearl District. Design work and fabrication began in Summer 2017 and in January 2018 the piece was installed on-site at NW 11th and Hoyt St. at the new Dianne Apartment building. Constructed of steel, glass and lighting elements this piece stands over 20 feet tall.
This piece represents a Tlingit Dancing Staff, which were used by singers or dancers and thumped on the floor to keep time or waved in sync with music. This sculpture explores the dynamic relationship between the Wolf and the Raven, with the top depicting Raven holding the sun.
Killer Whale Totem
In 2017 Preston Singletary started the large “Killer Whale Totem” series, which is currently being cast in lead crystal. Following the successful completion of the “Family Story Totem” series, the "Killer Whale Totem" shows Singletary’s clan crest (Killer Whale) in the center, his moiety (Eagle) on top, and a Thunderbird in the center that represents David Svenson, the carver of the wooden pole and one of Singletary’s mentors. The Thunderbird emerges from the mouth of the Killer Whale, which represents Swenson’s crest symbol. At the bottom is the Wolf design, the original moiety for the tribe, which was replaced by the contemporary depiction of an Eagle.
The “Killer Whale Totem” will be created in a limited edition of three, each one in a different color and standing over eight feet tall. This smaller version of the "Killer Whale Totem" stands at 36 inches tall and has a similar color to the large 8 foot tall Totem that is currently being cast.
Clan House Screen
Created in 2015 by Singletary, this glass Clan House Screen and house posts were installed at the Walter Soboleff Center in Juneau, Alaska. The screen shows a Northwest Coast design in sandblasted glass. On the left stands an Eagle warrior; while on the right stands a Raven created in a dark charcoal color. This screen measures approximately 11.5 feet high by 16 feet wide and weighs over 1000 lbs. It's created with 28 glass panels, 28 plexiglass panels, and over 200 custom made mounting bolts. Photo courtesy of Sealaska Heritage.
To see more public art and commissioned pieces please visit the Commissions page.