PIONEER SQUARE IN SEATTLE BROUGHT BACK TO LIFE THROUGH PUBLIC ART BY NON-PROFIT
The Forest for the Trees has been using art to change the Pacific Northwest's visual landscape for more than ten years. The non-profit has improved Seattle's public art landscape by working with 150 local and international artists. Their annual event took place in July, and 23 artists were invited to construct panels that would enliven the Pioneer Square neighbourhood.
A large number of the panels are visible in Railspur Alley, providing a visual boost to an area undergoing urban renewal. Three old brick and timber warehouses that Urban Villages is renovating are part of RailSpur, a new microdistrict in Pioneer Square. The alleyways surrounding it are intended to be used as community gathering places by the developers. Always at the vanguard of urban growth, public art contributes to bringing attention to these once-forgotten locations.
Among the noteworthy pieces is a woman's dual-portrait by David Rice. She is prepared for a day in the rain, which is appropriate for the surroundings. Rice's panel stands out against the stone background thanks to the addition of hyperrealistic figurative features, abstract elements, and vibrant colours. Yi Du, who often works on a modest scale, makes a change with his dreamy panel. She has skillfully modified her technique to produce a sculpture that radiates peace.
Working with Forest for the Trees gives these artists the chance to reach a wider audience that might not often visit the galleries where they frequently exhibit their work. Additionally, like Forest for the Trees, the art serves as a bridge between cultures and inspires people to see Pioneer Square and other communities in a different light.