2020

mild steel, stainless steel, aluminum, glass, copper, automotive enamel

10 x 14 x 8’

Carroll Creek Park, Frederick, MD

With over 1000 hand-formed aluminum tiles which spin and flicker, a portrait of Theophilus Thompson, an early African American chess expert, mathematician and teacher from Frederick, shifts and changes in the wind, honoring him while acknowledging his obscure history. Pixelating and hand-painting the tiles based on the sole known existing image of Theophilus Thompson allowed the portrait to read regardless of the orientation of each tile and permitted the creation of an active, three-dimensional sculpture appropriate for the site.

Part of the inaugural Carroll Creek Kinetic Art Exhibition, this sculpture has been moved several times as the project has expanded. Originally planned as a temporary sculpture for about 18 months of exhibition, it was moved to a permanent site at the Frederick Health Village in 2023. Featured on the Public Art Archive’s 2022 National Public Art Anniversary Map.