Judith Shea, American Heartland Garden, 1992

rose garden, pink slate tile paths, benches

Judith Shea’s American Heartland Garden, 1992, is literally heart shaped. Follow the pathway around the figure of the golden Public Goddess, 1992, to trace this shape. Rest your feet on the benches provided and enjoy the blooming flower beds in a space made for contemplation. A direct reference to the physical location of these works within the context of the American Midwest, the enclosure surrounding the central figure suggests the transitional space between a private garden and public park. The context of Public Goddess as a caged yet exposed female, also points to the complexities of domestic life, as both limiting and ideal.

Laumeier Sculpture Park Commission with funds from the Schneithorst Endowment Fund, the Mark Twain Laumeier Endowment Fund and support from anonymous donors

Location: Museum Circle