Spirit of Life by Helaine Blumenfeld

"In working on a public sculpture, I am always aware of the importance of creating a piece that extends beyond language, beyond literal interpretation, which encourages the public to discover many levels of meaning. The initial small model for Spirit of Life evoked very strong reactions. The varied responses I had to it truly empowered me.
Many of the complex strands of meaning that inspired me when I created the model seemed to resonate in these multiple interpretations: Some saw it as an angel with its wings spread open, others as a tree of life - its branches reaching towards a spiritual dimension; while some viewed it as hands reaching out in hope. But everyone recognized that this sculpture is about the healing power of beauty,of hope and of creation and, above all, about The Spirit of Life."
The upward surge of Spirit of Life creates an immediately positive mood in this powerful yet vulnerable sculpture. Its soft folds temper the solidity of the marble, creating a light and flowing texture across its smooth lines.
Reminiscent of a new shoot or bursting flower bud, Spirit of Life imbues the marble with a sense of animation. Its towering height deifies it, reminding one of dryads or fertility goddesses. At the same time, its abstracted form resists any figurative interpretation, rendering it a true spirit; the notion, idea or concept brought into three-dimensions by Blumenfeld's aptitude for delicate organic structure. It soars, spreads, reaches to the sky and opens to the sun, giver of all life on earth. This is an abundant and undaunted presence, not just striving for survival but revelling in the experiences it encounters.
This vivacity suggests the joy of spring and unfurling leaves; seeds bursting into life beneath the soil and reaching their shoots up towards the sun, nourishment and their first taste of life. It stands as a monument to the miracle of all life and reveals the beauty of nature and the power of the spirit.