New Public Sculpture by Emily Weiskopf Unveiled

June 2020

Jenn Singer artist Emily Weiskopf has installed her newest public sculpture, RE:, in Manhattan, Kansas. The artwork, made of recycled aluminum, was produced during COVID-19 isolation, created in response to current events.

The selection of Weiskopf’s work was made by curator Susan Earle of the Spencer Museum of Art with this public art exhibition made possible by the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation and sponsored by the City of Manhattan, Kansas. 

The sculpture is temporarily installed for 11 months at the Blue Earth Plaza (a green space in front of the Flint Hills Discovery Center), 3rd & Colorado Streets SE Corner in Manhattan, Kansas. The Blue Earth Plaza was named after the Kansa, also called Kaw Native American Tribe which came to live in the Flint HIlls at the Big Blue River.

Artist Statement

Reflect, Release, Rethink, Respond, Relearn, Revive, Rebuild, Recreate, Rebirth, Receive, Reimagine, Recycle, Renewal, Remembrance - a Revolution of gratitude... we are a world on fire from the inside out and outside in.

We need to mobilize and awaken needed mental shifts, just like our earth shifts for ongoing progress, growth, healing for ourselves, our lives, each other and our earth. We must remember we are nature, seeds which must open and act with Resilience, Resourcefulness and interdependence not ashamed by struggle.

Life is in constant motion, temporary. We keep going and make it a good fight. My ongoing spine & neurological rehabilitation reminds me of that and so it cannot help but be intermeshed more with my work, especially public work. These are our times - not words as much as actions and more humility.

Lastly, the element of fire in this work relates to fields burning in that area which the farmers, ranchers and environmentalists agree upon is needed as part of the natural cycle of the prairie and the grasses have evolved to be burnt.

Photo credit: Thomas Hartnett