Continuing an exploration of public sculpture, I’d like to share a piece that is in direct contrast to last week’s Sky Mirror by Anish Kapoor. The realistic piece pictured here was done by renowned artist, Glenna Goodacre (1939-2020), who had a strong Colorado connection. She went to Colorado College and spent many years in Boulder for its proximity to the premier bronze casting community in Loveland, Colorado. This massive bronze measures 12’ x 12’ x 22’ and includes 35 life-sized bronze figures. It depicts both the conditions in Ireland during the famine and the migration to America it caused. It holds pain, suffering, uncertainty and arrival hope. It holds harshness and softness in metal and dimension. You can see this sculpture in Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing.

This piece is stark in subject and portrayal. It brings to mind questions of the human spirit and human creativity. How could the Irish have suffered such a tragedy losing over a million people to starvation? How could one person show us so much about them with her handmade, hardscape vision?

These questions are the stuff of solemn and humble prayers. May we say these often when our hearts are despairing and also when our hearts are filled with wonder. Thanks be to God.

In gratitude, faith and hope,

Sandy Prouty
Minister of Children and Families
Montview Church