Monumental Sculpture To Pay Tribute To The Military Heroes Who Gave Their Lives In The Line Of Duty

  • Monday, August 3, 2015
Over the course of several days, internationally known sculptor Peter Lundberg will create a symbolic tribute to the service members who recently lost their lives in the line of duty in Chattanooga. The monumental sculpture to be located in the Sculpture Fields will begin its journey within the earth. After steel is installed, a concrete cast is then formed and cured. At last the cast is unearthed with a crane to a standing position.

“For the people of Chattanooga who have recently lost loved ones, it is impossible for me to express my sadness.
No words or sculpture can replace what you have lost,” said Mr. Lundberg. “My sculptures are inspired by nature and express rudimentary elements of life, nature, science, spirituality and passion. I hope the families of the fallen and the entire community see this sculpture not as a memorial, but as a tribute – a celebration of their lives.”

Sculpture creation will begin Aug. 9 and will be raised in place on Sept. 1 at 9 a.m. The public is invited to view the process at the park which can be accessed from Polk Street on Chattanooga’s Southside.  Mr. Lundberg’s piece will be the 18th sculpture installed at the 33-acre Montague Park.

“Peter’s sculpture will serve as a unique focal point for this sculpture park and an everlasting tribute to the fine members of the United States Marine Corps and United States Navy,” said William J. Overend, Captain, United States Navy (Ret.) and Sculpture Fields board member.

“Peter Lundberg is a unique sculptor in how he works and in the materials he works with,” said John Henry, internationally renowned sculptor and founder of the Sculpture Fields. “He is equally a unique human being who has shown a great capacity to give to communities, both nationally and internationally.  His work throughout the world is respected by fellow artists and loved by all who come in contact and interact.”

“Sculptures have always inspired me,” Mr. Lundberg said. “As a child, I enjoyed running around sculptures that loomed larger than life. I didn’t know what the sculptures were, but I could understand their importance, because they empowered me; they made me feel as if I could also employ my imagination to do great things. I have since then participated in the creation of sculpture parks around the world. This is one of my life’s passions, as I see what a sculpture park brings to the public. Children and adults alike find inspiration, hope and passion in sculpture. 

“A grand sculpture park on the scale of Sculpture Fields will find itself in the midst of a lively public discussion.  There will be people who think it is nonsense and there will be others who find great inspiration. Any reaction is good, as they are discussions about what’s important. I often ask the child running around the sculptures, as I once did, 'What do you think?’ And the response is often very surprising.” 

Mr. Lundberg has exhibited internationally, and his works are held in private, corporate and government collections in the U.S., Germany, Scandinavia, China and Australia.

The park will be open free to the public beginning weekends in November. Grand opening is scheduled for spring 2016. For images of all works currently in the park, visit sculpturefields.org.
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