Internationally respected artist Benbow Bullock created the sculpture that brightens the front of the Vallejo Ferry Building.
By Mary Swift-Swan
Published: August, 2004
Internationally respected artist Benbow Bullock created the sculpture that brightens the front of the Vallejo Ferry Building. The painted metal sculpture is a striking image with bold primary colors in playful contrast to the classically marine grey building with white trim and a marine-green roof.
The newest major art piece by Mr. Bullock to be installed for public display is a special event for Bay Area residents. Benbow will be on hand when the towering sculpture is installed at the Oakland Museum in early August. It is a 30+ foot high “Endless Column.” The sculpture is being moved from Benbow’s studio in Rodeo.
On Mr. Bullock’s home web page, www.artnut.com , he shares a story, partly quoted below, that conveys his inspiration for both the Endless Column and the bright yellow sculpture that graces his cheerful front yard.
“Walking down railroad tracks on a hot Midwest summer day, the tracks would appear to come together at a vanishing point that kept moving farther away, as I approached. And a shimmering mirage of water would float above the tracks, never quite close enough to touch. On either side of the right of way, were awkward, ungainly, beautiful sunflowers, as common as the ubiquitous ragweed, wild blackberries and goldenrods that surrounded them… I knew that I wanted to make a sculpture that combined the beauty of a blooming sunflower, and the awesomeness of a man made pyramidal shaped vertical column.”
It is possible to see Benbow Bullock’s work, including images of other “Endless Columns” and links to more than 200 metal sculpture gardens by logging on to http://www.artnut.com. Benbow can be contacted at artnut@artnut.com or BENBOW BULLOCK,SCULPTOR, 12 Sandy Beach Road, Vallejo, CA 94590 T: (707) 557-2974, F: (707) 554-1234.
