From artist Heather Mattingly’s brochure: After Hurricane Katrina, New Orleanians and people nationally embraced the fleur de lis. It is our symbol of strength, endurance, pride, and love for New Orleans. Heather came up with the idea to make a sculpture of the fleur de lis using all kinds of stuff she found after the storm including bits and pieces collected from sweeping out gutted homes in the process of being rebuilt (screws, nails, washers, etc.); broken strands of Mardi Gras beads and scuffed dubloons; plus old costume jewelry, broken watches, vintage buttons, random coins and other items found at flea markets or garage sales deemed useless by their seller. Her designs also incorporate junk metal found in the streets, like bottle caps that have been rolled over a million times and are now flat and rusted.
This is the new-to-me piece that I chose to bring into my home and my life; thanks, Heather!
