Commissioned Works — Tyree Guyton

power to the people, Shenzhen china (2015)

Artist Statement:

The philosophy behind Power to the People is to explore the idea of empowering citizens to think creatively about what is possible for themselves and consequently their immediate environment. Ultimately Guyton’s method of using art and creativity is employed as a catalyst to raise the level of consciousness and recharge the human spirit.

All Parties, visions of our 44th president (2012)

people in motion, Los Angeles metro (2010)

Artist Statement:

"I see the power of movement through shoes - shoes of all colors, all sizes, all styles, all shapes and all moving. Shoes then become the transient tool moving the human spirit from place to place and in all directions. Without the energy of people in motion, there would be no need for other types of motion."

Tyree Guyton designed this artwork to evoke thought, create conversation and stimulate the observer to think about the most basic mode of transportation - the shoe. Guyton explores the power of transportation by examining movement through shoes as a metaphor of shoes representing individuals; all colors, styles, shapes and all moving in different directions.

Made of smalti and cake glass, the 2 foot by 115 foot mosaic band wraps across three walls at the station mezzanine entry and was created by artisans at the Miotto Mosaic Art Studio in Carmel, NY.

Singing for that Country, Sydney Australia (2004)

When Tyree Guyton made his first trip to Australia in April 2004 at the invitation of internationally renowned performance artist and native Detroiter Aku Kadogo, his goal was to develop ideas for a collaborative public art project in Sydney.

Later in 2004 Tyree Guyton returned to Australia to create "Singing for that Country," a series of public art installations in collaboration with Aku Kadogo for the City of Sydney’s Art & About Festival.

invisible doors, Wayne State University, (2008)

Artist Statement:

“The concept of the sculpture is about doors of life that open and close, leading us to success or failure. The doors contain many philosophical messages; doors that we hide behind, doors that shut us out of the world, doors of liberty, extreme doors, doors of waste, doors of consumption, and doors to do a better place and time. It is designed with the hope of helping people to open the mental doors of our minds – doors that often block us from seeing new possibilities for all people.”

Tick Tock on the Spot, Detroit MI (2002)

Tick Tock On the Spot, commissioned by the city of Detroit Cultural Affairs Department for the Parade Company's Thanksgiving Day Parade in Detroit.