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Public Art Collection Monthly Spotlight: “Windswept” Sculpture (Erin O’Brien, Business Program Manager)
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
It is recommended that the Cultural Arts Commission receive information about the City’s existing public art collection through a monthly highlight.
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BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
In response to the Commission’s interest in learning more about the City’s public art collection, staff have been providing a monthly spotlight featuring selected works from the collection. This month’s feature, “Windswept,” by Tennessee based sculptor Brian F. Russell, is located on the Library | Parks and Recreation Center Civic Campus and is visible from the intersection at Chestnut Avenue and Civic Campus Way.
Standing approximately ten feet tall, the aluminum sculpture features delicate, upward reaching tendrils that appear to move gracefully with the breeze. While the title suggests the motion of wind, the artist has shared that the inspiration for “Windswept” was actually the fluid movement of water. Working primarily in a dynamic abstract style, Russell shaped the individual segments according to the natural suppleness of heated metal, allowing the material itself to inform the sculpture’s organic form and sense of motion.
Originally commissioned in 2018, “Windswept” was installed on the median at Westborough Boulevard and the I-280 off ramp. In September of 2021, the sculpture was damaged due to a vehicular collision. Following professional repair and restoration, the artwork was relocated to serve as the artistic focal point of the newly constructed Library | Parks and Recreation Center, where it now provides a welcoming and visually striking presence for visitors.
Reflecting on his work, the artist has stated:
“The outdoor sculpture improves our visual environment by providing focus points of concentrated creative energy. The physical and mental energy I use to create sculptures radiates from the work forever, subtly enriching the loves of those who are in its sphere.”
More information on the overall public art collection can be found under the “Interactive Map” tab on the Cultural Arts website: www.ssfca.gov/culturalarts <http://www.ssfca.gov/culturalarts>. Note, as previously mentioned, the “Interactive Map” is in the process of being refreshed.
Attachment 1: February 2026 Cultural Arts Commission Public Art Spotlight - “Windswept”