Public Art - Oxford, Mississippi

Forces of Nature: Blue Skies, Slinkys, and Hurricanes
Yokna Sculpture Trail
May 2026-April 2028

Thank you to all the curators, coordinators, and crew for selecting and supporting the installation of this pair of sculptures to the Yokna Sculpture Trail on the campus of the University of Mississippi, installed outside the Department of Art and Art History Meek Hall in Oxford, Mississippi.
Special thanks to Durant Thompson, Seth Thibodaux, and Ellis Barber for their hard work, problem-solving, and excellent mulch-shaping skills during the installation.

Forces of Nature: Blue Skies, Slinkys, and Hurricanes, ongoing series 2020-present
Media: steel, blue PEX tubing, metal hardware, and mulch

Inspired by diagrams of hurricane development and the spring movement of the “wonderful toy” Slinky, these playful sculptures feature circular forms that appear to be large Slinkys connected at the ends into rings. Reminiscent of inner tubes easing down a lazy river or bean bags gathered in a living room, the works function as unusual benches.

The sculptures are made from blue PEX tubing, a material commonly used to carry water to faucets. Usually hidden behind walls or beneath floors, PEX quietly performs its task and often only becomes visible or considered when something goes wrong. Bringing this material into public view connects the work to my ongoing interest in familiar, functional, and overlooked materials, especially those that carry memory, labor, infrastructure, and care.

As benches, the works invite rest, play, and gathering while also pointing to larger systems of movement, circulation, weather, and water. Their looping forms balance humor and utility with a deeper attention to the materials and structures that support everyday life.

About the Yokna Sculpture Trail

Featuring a rotating exhibit of 18 large-scale sculptures by locally, regionally, and nationally renowned exhibiting artists, this collaboration between the City of Oxford, The University of Mississippi, and the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council is the first outdoor sculpture program of its kind in North Mississippi. A vibrant arts culture and beautiful green spaces are at the heart of what makes our community great. It is our hope that this trail, that highlights both, will be a source of enjoyment for residents and visitors for years to come!