Meet "Grace"

This is "Grace", created by Scott Gundersen.

“Grace”, measuring 66” by 96” is made of nearly 10,000 recycled wine corks. 

Scott had this to say about his work:

Grace Karekezi Mwemere, the subject of this piece is a friend from Rwanda. During the 1994 Rwandan genocide Grace was 16 years old. She was captured, separated from her family, tortured, beat and miraculously escaped death. Grace lost her smile and in the ensuing years she experienced anger, acceptance and ultimately forgiveness for her captors. Out of her horrific experience something beautiful happened as Grace came to fully embody her name, shared her story and regained her smile. 

Her story is a story of transformation. Out of chaos came order and then beauty. My work seeks to do the same, transforming what was into something more, uncovering the unexpected potential in the everyday.  

Here is a time lapse video of how Grace was created.

Grace is just one of the pieces of art being installed throughout Grand Rapids for ArtPrize.  

If you have not heard of ArtPrize then it's time.

ArtPrize is a radically open art competition.  Open to any artist in the world who can find space.  Open to anybody in Grand Rapids, MI that wants to create a venue.  Open to a vote from anyone who attends.

Designed as a very different art competition, the goal is for the general public and artists to collide, exchange ideas and come away changed.  The first place winner receives $449,000 and the top 10 entries receive a prize.  (www.artprize.org)

According to a study conducted by Grand Valley University, ArtPrize 2009 brought in 200,000 people and $7.6 million to the area.  They expect ArtPrize 2010 to be even bigger.  I can not tell you how spectacular it is to have your whole city transformed by art installations everywhere!  There are 1,713 artist at 192 venues.  AMAZING.  

"Grace" was placed on the the 2nd floor of The B.O.B..  If you are local you can vote for "Grace" by visiting one of the ArtPrize registration spots downtown and vote HERE.

To see more of Scott's work, visit him here.