The deeper meaning behind Westfield's important new public art
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A render of "Hold the Stars" by Aaron Coleman. Photo: Courtesy of 900 North Studios
Artist and historian Aaron Coleman is honoring Westfield's ties to the Underground Railroad by transforming a place of confinement into a place of community.
Why it matters: His latest piece, called "Hold the Stars," is being installed during a time of rapid growth for the Hamilton County suburb and will help shape its identity amid the boom.
Zoom in: Inspired by Quaker families who helped guide enslaved people through the area to freedom, the piece is made of native white oak, shaped using steam-bending techniques commonly seen in shipbuilding.
- It depicts two large wooden hands and the Big Dipper constellation, which was historically used to locate the North Star.
Yes, but: Coleman, a BUTTER Art Fair alum, told Axios the meaning goes deeper than just following the drinking gourd.
- The initial inspiration was the hold of a transatlantic slave ship — specifically a historical account of enslaved people carving stars and moons into each other's hair while confined below deck.
- That communal act of self-care, and the hope it represented, became the emotional foundation of the piece.
- The shape of the hands in the sculpture was designed to mimic a ship's bow, metaphorically converting the hold into a gathering space.
What he's saying: "What I really wanted to do was take something that was so awful and so terrible, and try to transform our understanding of the idea of the hold and what it means to be held," he said. "I want people to be able to claim the story of where they're from.
- "I want to hold the history, and I want them to be held in a communal space geared towards thinking together about a brighter future."
State of play: Coleman was selected by city leaders and creative advocacy agency GANGGANG to install "Hold the Stars" at The Grand on Main development next summer.
- The project is being fabricated at 900 North Studios.
Between the lines: GANGGANG founders Mali and Alan Bacon say being a part of this cultural milestone for Westfield is a sign that leaders throughout Central Indiana understand the nonprofit's mission.
- "Hold the Stars" also stands as a symbol of GANGGANG's relentless commitment to help the dreams of local creators become reality.
- "We're going to do it no matter what," Mali Bacon said. "We wake up every day to feed the artist."
What's next: In addition to preparing the next BUTTER Art Fair for its annual takeover of Labor Day weekend, in September, GANGGANG will unveil a public sculpture at 33rd and Meridian by another BUTTER alum that is also fabricated by 900 North Studios.
