Color Gives Life

Installation Details

The concept and design express the history of the building and the relationship of farming in the area. As water and sun give life in nature, the water flows around the image supported by the sun in the middle.  These give birth to date palms, which is a reference to date production and Tempe’s government date palm farm.  These also give birth to cotton which was grown in the area in the 1910s and 1920s.

This building used to be Baker’s Painting and Decorating Supplies.  The relationship with the business is evident in the use of color and the detail above the cotton blossoms that mimic the Baker’s paint can logo.  Additionally, as John W. Baker’s ancestors were farmers in the area, the cotton and date palms represent this tie to Tempe’s agricultural history.

This installation was commissioned by The City of Tempe and NEDCO.