Our stories, regardless of the magnitude or circumstance, are the same. We rise; we fall; we grow. My practice of making art and living every day is a process that teaches me the most about who I am. – Elizabeth Akamatsu, Artist
Rising Strong by artist Elizabeth Akamatsu embodies the spirit and strength of the Diamond Hill Community. The idea of planting a seed, setting roots, and growing a bountiful life serves as a metaphor for the area and is the basis for this floral sculpture.
Designed as a bouquet, three flowers create a tripartite form representative of the power of family, community, and a commitment to the future. The artist states, “Flowers have long symbolized the passage of time and mortality in art, as Dutch vanitas painters were keenly aware. Flowers can also be a force for community and generosity. Flowers are given to show love, to remember those who have passed, and to make amends. Not only do flowers provide us with beauty and joy but they also cross pollinate, helping each other grow.” The bouquet’s base represents solidity and the setting of roots while the upward thrust of the sculpture symbolizes growth. The flowers, inspired by the name Diamond Hill, are shaped like emerald, pear, and round gem cuts.
The making of this artwork combines old-fashioned hand craftsmanship with the latest computer technology. The intersecting planes draw a parallel to the human condition, a union of opposing elements of fragility and strength. Just as planes are juxtaposed to create a form, we as people are interdependent, woven into a complex web of interconnected forces. Further, the brushed stainless-steel sculpture becomes one with its environment, reflecting the vibrancy of the building, the people it serves, and the ever-changing seasons year after year that surround it. Intended as a visual landmark for the new Diamond Hill Community Center, the sculpture stands approximately 16′ tall and spans 8′ in both width and depth. The artwork sits atop a 20″ triangular concrete platform, measuring over 13′ on each side, which also serves as integrated bench seating. Decomposed granite will surround the platform as a pathway for passers-by.
This public art project was funded by the 2018 Bond Program and was dedicated to the City of Fort Worth as part of the Grand Opening of the new Diamond Hill Community Center on Saturday, November 4, 2023.
Read Elizabeth Akamatsu’s recent interview with Glasstire’s Caleb Bell about her public sculptures.
INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE?
See other new projects currently underway by visiting the Art In Progress page.