Spirit of Imperial Beach by A. Wasil

Spirit of Imperial Beach Street End Monument

Artist: A. Wasil
West end of Palm Avenue
Imperial Beach, CA.
(Future project completing Dec. 2000)

This large bronze sculpture depicts the dual theme of surfing and sand castles, for which Imperial Beach is world famous. Situated in a 10 x 30 foot sand-filled island, Wasil's monumental 18-foot sculpture will be the central focus of a new oceanside pedestrian plaza planned for the end of Palm Avenue. The new sculpture is expected to nicely compliment existing art works nearby, including Malcolm Jones' Surfhenge and Mary Lynn Dominguez' Illuminations at Pier Plaza, and Wyland's Ocean Riders at Dunes Park. Together these works reflect the civic pride of Imperial Beach and a remarkable renaissance of public art in this community.

Artist's notes on sculpture: This bronze sculpture depicts two happy children, a boy and a girl, who are creating a fantasy sand castle, complete with a school of multi-sized fish who are swimming around and in-between the structures of the fantasy city. On a bronze platform (that is part of the structure) stands a bronze lifeguard/surfer with his surfboard. The surfer is 7-feet tall, well muscled and athletic, looking out towards the sea. On his longboard is a relief of the stylized letters "IB" coming out of a sunset.

The total sculpture is approximately 16-18 feet tall, 10-12 feet wide, and 5-6 feet deep. As shown in my previous work, all aspects of the sculpture will be very realistically modeled, with attention to detail that will be appreciated by young and old. The sculpture is large enough to be seen from quite a distance, does not require a masters degree in art to understand, will endure the elements for at least several thousand years and is elegant and whimsical enough to become a symbol of the community.--A. Wasil.