“Transplanted Roots” - MFA and LALS alumna's sculpture featured in Stevenson Hall

"Transplanted Roots" -- "Raíces Transplantadas"
by Marie-Elena Ottman
A collaboration with LALS and Doors to Hope

Marie-Elena Ottman, a native Panamanian and alumni of the University of Louisville's MFA and LALS Graduate Certificate Program, was inspired by the LALS Tranquility Garden (on the northwest side of Stevenson Hall) to create a sculpture that would reflect her interest in the theme of origins. She explains the symbolism behind this colorful work of art in the following manner:

"This work is a collaboration with LALS students and women from Doors to Hope, where I conducted my LALS Graduate Internship. The sculpture references a vine, specifically the tropical Liana vine, which rises from the ground and climbs upwards towards the sun, bracing itself on the trees for support. The women designed the vine patterns to represent the journey to their new home. Some of the women are from Mexico, and coincidentally, we used colorful nautical rope hecho en México to create the patterns! Similar to the Liana vine, the women depend on each other as a means of support, and though they are from different countries, they have formed a bond through their common journeys. The mosaic patterning and colors reflect the various communities that unite as one while still retaining their own roots. They also resemble the colorful molas made in Panamá, my native country."