Titled “Archbarrow,” this work is modular and can be installed indoors or outdoors. It is a "wheelbarrow arch."
Each wheelbarrow was sourced through Craigslist. Collecting these wheelbarrows required coordinating with those who answered my ad, then traveling to their location.
The surface of each wheelbarrow carries the marks of the person who owned it, the type of work that was preformed and the degradation of time. These elements combined give each unit a unique character.
This artwork will serve as a strong landmark. It can be treated as a gateway, sitting area, wildlife blind or simply decorate the center of a round-a-bout. The wheelbarrow represents a hands on approach to improving ones environment. These improvements are often social in nature and tend to bring a strong communal element to a sense of place and belonging.
The “Archbarrow” embodies the saying “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” This gesture is symbolic of many things, yet seems to speak most prominently about the current political environment of the United States. It seeks to organize a diversity of separate parts into a cohesive symbol of strength.
A "wheelbarrow arch"
The Archbarrow seeks to organize a diversity of separate parts into a cohesive symbol of strength.
Willis, Joshua, "Barrowhenge," Commissioned by NM Arts, Part of T.I.M.E. (Temporary Installation Made for the Environment, Edgewood Public Library, 2017