Pacific Northwest College of Art    Portland, OR

Linda Wysong’s public artwork

Linda Wysong’s artwork is rooted in environmental awareness through community engagement. Her latest public artwork, Eye River, can be viewed at Portland Community College’s Water Education Plaza and is a part of the SE Clay Green Street Project in an effort to create a “Route to the River.” The Portland Bureau of Environmental Services and Portland Community College worked together on this project to celebrate and increase awareness of Portland’s current stormwater runoff practices. Eye River, serves as a reminder of the Willamette River with its shimmering glass oculus that provides a lens for the existing landscape and echoes the fluidity of water. Its shape is inspired by the historic log dog, which was used as a way to bind log rafts together by the lumber industry used over 100 years ago. Wysong worked with community members and made a design plan which addresses the importance of feeling connected to the water, and how this connection has changed due to increased limited citizen access. The materials are chosen for their rough, useful and striking qualities referencing to Portland’s industrial history. The work is located along SE Clay Street, and one piece is made of cast steel, while another is made of cast steel and glass. The project also received partial funding from the Environmental Protection Agency Innovative Wet Weather Program grant.

Photo credit: Women Environmental Artists Directory

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