MAPS OF MEMORIES

In 2022, the City of Bedford commissioned a sculpture to be displayed at the new Generations Park at Boys Ranch. I was tasked with designing a sculpture that incorporates a respect and remembrance of the past, while also embracing the future of the Bedford community. “Maps of Memories” commemorates and honors the history of the park formerly known as Bedford Boys Ranch in Bedford, Texas. Inspired by topographic maps of the land, all three sides of the sculpture depict aerial views of the transforming landscape of Bedford Boys Ranch. Each map represents its own chapter in history, and as viewers walk around the sculpture, the visual story of the land they are standing on unfolds before them. By reflecting on the past and present maps of the Boys Ranch, the viewer will be keeping its history alive while also looking toward the future of the Bedford community.  The laser cut images point to the locations of the facilities and activities within each map and how they adapted throughout the years. The sculpture’s plaque includes a QR code that is linked to a webpage that describes the meaning of each image, encouraging interaction in the form of a scavenger hunt. Click here to view the webpage. This piece was created in raw steel with the intention of developing a rust patina slowly over time. This way, the sculpture will serve as a time capsule, commemorating the new era of Generations Park at Boys Ranch.