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Mayor Lori Lightfoot unveiled a new piece of art for a Chicago Transit Authority bus facility in Austin last week.
The CTA’s investment in the new artwork is part of a collaborative effort to spread public art across Chicago, and it also complements the mayor’s INVEST South / West initiative.
“This work of art is more than just a decorative piece,” Lightfoot said in a statement. “It is a beacon that reflects the spirit and energy of our Austin community.
“Through our signature INVEST South / West initiative, we will be able to attract even more projects like this one that will help the south and west sides of our city heal and grow thanks to the power of art.”
The artwork, titled Sunburst, was created by artist Shinique Smith, an internationally recognized visual artist whose work has been exhibited in the United States and produced for the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the Los Angeles Metro.
Sunburst is a painted aluminum sculpture specially created for the recently renovated CTA bus turnaround on the corner of Chicago Avenue and Austin Boulevard.
The work of art reflects the radiant, bright energy of this busy corner in all seasons. The work of art also symbolically highlights the most recent modernizations of the facility, which now serves as a charging depot for the latest fully electric buses of the CTA, which started on regular services at the beginning of April.
The bus turnaround includes an electric fast charging station to support the latest generation CTA electric buses that operate on bus route # 66 Chicago.
The artist, who currently lives in Los Angeles, is internationally known for her exuberant paintings and sculptures that celebrate the power of human expression and resilience.
Smith was one of nearly 350 artists who responded to CTA’s 2015 call for artists for the bus turnaround. The evaluation committee selected Smith based on her artistic merit, qualifications, professional recognition, and written expression of interest.
The CTA, in collaboration with the Austin African American Business Networking Association (AAABNA) – a corridor manager for Invest South / West – hosted a community meeting with the artist in December 2016 to gather feedback from the community.
“It is my sincere hope that Sunburst will be a focal point and talisman for anyone touring the Austin bus stop,” said Smith.
CTA President Dorval R. Carter Jr. added, “This artwork will help promote the Austin neighborhood as a Chicago destination for seeing world-renowned works of art.”
In the past decade, the CTA’s public art collection has almost doubled, and includes more than 70 permanent works of art on all eight train lines and several bus routes. It includes mosaics, glass art, sculptures and interactive installations by nationally and internationally recognized artists, many of whom are from the region.
The value of the new installation in Austin is $ 200,000, which includes artist royalties and manufacturing, shipping / delivery costs and a project contingent fund paid for from Federal Transit Administration funds.
You can find more information about these new installations at transitchicago.com/art.
CONTACT: austintalks.org@gmail.com
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