Maiden Shield: Strength in Numbers

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Catherine Bell Smith had been working on a series called Maiden Shields which is inspired by female vikings, strong warrior women when asked about creating a piece for Easton. The art uses natural materials including sycamore bark which is a symbol of strength and power. Incorporating the sycamore bark into the piece carries on the theme of strength in women. Aluminum was used to form pine cone scales on the installation. If you touch the piece, you will find it is covered by a layer of braille...it's a visual language rather than a spoken language. The braille text is the following quote, "There are two powers in the world; one is the sword and the other is the pen. There is a third power stronger than both, that of women." - Malala Yousafzai

Plaque Text

"Catherine Bell Smith @cathybellsmith"

Materials

Powder coated aluminum, wood, sycamore bark and epoxy resin

Dimensions

Width: 16'
Height: 12'

Images

Location

4052 Worth Ave, Columbus, OH, 43219
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Please note: The Greater Columbus Arts Council (Arts Council) does not own or manage any public art. For the purposes of this database many pieces were entered by the Arts Council while we continue to search for the appropriate owner/manager of the work and other information to complete the entry. The Arts Council has tried to gather all available information about the works in this database, however, we acknowledge there may be missing or inaccurate information. If you can help us correct any inaccuracies, or provide more complete information, we would be grateful. Please use “Something missing? Please send us a note” below.

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Type

Public Art

Artist

Catherine Bell Smith http://catherinebellsmith.com/

Catherine Bell Smith is a Columbus artist who collaborates with nature to make her work by collecting, saving and preserving items that are raked, blown away or crushed under foot. Primarily an installation artist, Catherine considers sculpture, painting, and drawing essential tools in her process. Her work draws fine lines of connection between nature’s example of life in balance and humankind’s journey toward purpose, understanding, and integrity. The use of degradable materials directs the conversation toward what is undervalued, overlooked, or marginalized in the world today. She holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in Sculpture from Ohio State University and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Bowling Green State University.