Appleton Art Highlight: “Gyan/Gesture Of Conscience” By Kara James

It’s been a while since I’ve posted any artwork. Back in November, the Common Council vote to extend the leases of three Acre of Art sculptures. I’ve already posted pictures of Howard Russo’s “To The Moon, Alice” and Paul Bobrowitz’s “The Collective”.

I have not, however, posted pictures of the “Gyan/Gesture of Conscience” currently sitting in Jones Park. This is the work of artist Kara James, and, honestly, is my favorite of the three pieces and a sculpture I legitimately like and think is well made.

I really like that it’s made out of wood, which is a departure from most of the other sculptures around town which are mainly metal and sometimes stone.

I understand this is a sculpture of a religious hand symbol, but whenever I walk past it, part of me is a little surprised that, so far as I’m aware, no one has ever flipped out and claimed that it’s a racist dog-whistle. After all, it’s a giant hand making an “okay” sign with an eagle perched on top of it. I suppose the uncontroversial approval and installation of this sculpture in Appleton is evidence that our city is still pretty down to earth all things considered and not nearly as crazy as some other places in the country.

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