Mother Earth Sculpture

This large-scale earth sculpture depicts a reclining matriarchal figure emerging from a grassy meadow in Challenger Seven Park south of downtown Houston, Texas, USA near the NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center. Mother Earth will be created and built from the earth by women, planted with grass by children and their caregivers, and rooted in an area which has its own history of environmental damage and cleanup. The sculpture will be constructed during 1997.

The sculpture is the fourth of the Canary Projects, a comprehensive series that encourages examination of women's bodies, which through illness and death, transmit early warnings about environmental dangers.

While inexorably tied to ancient symbols for life's renewal and abundance in the form of the voluptuous and pregnant female, this contemporary sculpture will make some obvious departures. Unlike the Venus of Willendorf, for example, this earth mother has only one breast remaining with which to nurture the coming of new life. Constructed of recycled and natural materials and covered with a blanket of special low-growing grass, she reclines resting on the side of a hill. While her left hand rests across her swollen abdomen, her right hand reaches out, closer to the sidewalk... a place for us to rest or her urgent plea for survival?

Topographic View of Mother Earth
Topographic view of the sculpture. People of all ages will come upon her as the hike, bike, or jog through the park. The winding trail is hugged by trees periodically opening to wider grassy retreats. This sculpture will be a part of one such space: an inviting meadow with shaded park benches under two huge oak trees. Mother Earth can be viewed in her entirety or examined more closely, climbed upon and rolled down, patted, laid upon, smelled, and weeded, or perhaps be cloned back home. In addition, the sculpture will be utilized for environmental education by teachers leading the numerous school field trips and by the parks very own environmental program director during workshops, summer camps, and the annual earth day celebration.

The park provides a pristine-looking setting for the memorial to the ill-fated Challenger Seven Flight Crew, bird sanctuary, nature learning center, hiking trails, and the substantial Clear Creek, raised walkways over delicate wetland areas, playground, ball field, picnic areas, fishing and water sports... and more. "More" includes the nationally known Brio Toxic Waste Site and adjacent "Ghost Town Neighborhood" only five miles away as the crow flies. The same Clear Creek that runs through the park and feeds its surrounding wetland areas passes through Brio upstream; frequent access to water sports is forbidden in the park when toxin levels are too high.

Panoramic Photograph of Mother Earth Site, Challenger Seven Park

Documentation will continue through dedication ceremonies. Current plans include an illustrated chronology with copies in our library and in the newly created Women's Studies Archives at the University of Houston. The Houston Chronicle will use time-lapse video and other technical means to create and animated story of the actual construction to be addid to their web site, www.chron.com

Site Location:

Greater Houston Area

Map of Challenger 7 Park

The HWCA needs your help to complete Mother Earth

Please contact Joy Mullett at (713) 520-7480 if you can support with any of the following donations:

Personal time and energy
Monetary support
Office expenses (printing, postage, etc.)
8-10" rock and clean concrete rubble (115 tight cubic yards)
Clay fill soil (20 tight cubic yards)
Silt/clay top soil (20 tight cubic yards)
Geotextile fabric (2050 square feet)
Dwarf buffalo grass sod
Weather-proof plaque to recognize contributors and participants and to give the title and history of the Mother Earth sculpture

The Houston Women's Caucus for Art (HWCA)

Mission Statement: The HWCA actively supports equal opportunity and visibility for women's work. We are a committed forum for education, contemporary social issues, cultural diversity, and freedom of artistic expression.
History: The HWCA was formed in 1978. HWCA's charter is to provide its membership with an information network, cultural enhancement, and opportunities for art appreciation.
Firehouse Gallery: Located in the historic fire station at 1413 Westheimer, the Firehouse Gallery serves as a center for exhibitions of emerging local talent and more recognized regional and national art figures. Programs held at the gallery include membership meetings, public lectures, and forums for comtemporary issues.
Membership: The HWCA is open to anyone who embraces the mission statement. Annual dues are $50, with a special rate of $20 for students or those with limited income.

Contact the Houston Women's Caucus for Art, 1413 Westheimer, Houston, Texas 77006, 713-520-7840. This page was built by D. Webb.
Last updated February 17, 1997.