The Keeper was the People's Choice Award in 2018. This is a great honor to the artists, Spring Shine, Christopher Petersen and Yvonne Boyd, who created this unique sculpture, made with concrete applied to a steel armature.
It is now a part of Castlegar expanding collection of sculptures and other artworks displayed throughout the town. The Keeper is now on permanent display in Millenium Park down the paved walkway pass the natural pools. The following best describes The Keeper by the artists themselves and the following article.
The plaque has not been placed. As mentioned in the article below, the small tree and the small plants nestle in pockets of soil in the curls on her head are no longer a part of The Keeper. The photo below shows how The Keeper was originally displayed.
"The trio's (Spring Shine, Christopher Petersen and Yvonne Boyd) big and bold work on display here emphasizes the onus they place on connectivity, appropriate stewardship and respect for the forests that surround us. It is heartfelt, spiritual and impactful in its message.
A wonderfully posed "wood spirit" kneels and bends inquisitively at new forest life. In one hand she cradles a new tree that is emerging from the earth ever so slowly.
Muscular, mythical and otherworldly, she nurtures the new growth while bearing it too. Small plants nestle in pockets of soil in the curls on her head. Her skin tone is bark-like, the reddish-brown hue achieved through the application of multiple coats of etching stain.
She is of the forest, embodying the plants, lichen, moss, animals, as well as the trees - everything that makes up the greater whole.
As Spring explains, "this sculpture is about our connection with nature and how she nurtures and feeds us. The interplay found there. We hope that people will enjoy touching, experiencing and becoming a part of this piece.
"Like most of Christopher's and my collective efforts, we want people to interact - to feel a visceral connection - with our creation. Like our two previous sculptures, the intent is for the viewer to be a part of the piece, not just observing it from a respectful distance. We both believe, as does Yvonne, that art is meant to touch people, and vice-versa."
The Keeper personifies the close, loving connection all three have with the abundant nature surrounding them, and all of us. Their intriguing, observant piece expands that closeness, reinforcing for everyone the critical importance of harmony with, and respect for, nature in all its forms."
Source: Castlegar Sculpturewalk
"Castlegar Sculpture Walk held its annual Awards Gala this weekend. Executive Director Joy Barrett was pleased to announce the event was sold out for the very first time. The winner of the People’s Choice Award, as voted on by the public was The Keeper by Argenta artists Spring Shine, Christopher Petersen and Yvonne Boyd.
“So this is the beautiful, huge, kind of creature that’s bending over in front of the RCMP station (now located in Millenium Park). It’s representative of Mother Nature; it’s got shrubbery in her hair. It’s just a really, really stunning piece. Probably one of the largest we’ve ever had.”
The Keeper will now remain as a permanent addition to Castlegar Sculpture Walk. It’s the second win for Shine and Petersen, who previously captured the coveted People’s Choice award in 2015 with
Regeneration, a stump made of logging cables and sporting a tiny cedar growing from its side. This year their friend and neighbour Yvonne Boyd was enlisted for the project.
The purpose behind the piece is said to emphasize “the onus they place on connectivity, appropriate stewardship and respect for the forests that surround us,” according to Barrett."
Source: My Kootenay Now
Courtesy: Castlegar Sculpturewalk