Bringing in the Light

Dwane remembers his mom, Donna, as being a creative light in the lives of many people. She was very loving to her family as well as dedicated to her church and her community. Very talented, she made her own wedding dress! Even though she obtained an art degree later in life, as an artist, Donna was always known for her inventive costumes, sewing projects, ceramics and paintings. She gave her time and her talents freely to making banners for her church and giving her artworks to family and friends where they are still held as treasured gifts. What better way to honor her legacy than with a commemorative fine art sculpture.

Chris Nordin and Dwane, an architect and interior designer, had known one another for many years having collaborated on several work projects such as a two-story sculpture in the atrium of a new building. Dwane had also commissioned Chris to create a dining room light fixture for his own home, one that he says is reminiscent of the famous glass artist, Dale Chihuly. He already knew Chris to be “a fabulous person”, someone he could trust to create a sculpture that would reflect the meaningful relationship Dwane had with his mom.

They began the project to honor Donna’s life with emails back and forth sharing ideas, memories, and qualities of their relationship that reflected the person she was. Chris’s memorial creations are story-driven. As Dwane put it, “he listens” to create something meaningful to the recipient, not one-sided to simply reflect artistic bias.

What emerged from their collaboration is an Estate sculpture that stands five feet tall from the floor with a base that lights up circles of colors that reflect the colors of the birthstones of her husband and her children, the people who were home to her. What one notices right away though is the pile up of lavender and lilac-colored spheres at the top of the sculpture that whimsically mirror Donna’s trademark beehive hairdo in her favorite colors! When daylight filters through these spheres, Dwane feels the contentment of this daily reminder.

“This beautiful piece of art reminds me of my mom’s beautiful spirit and joy she brought to all of our lives”

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