About this Sculpture
- Artist: Jason Quigno
- Medium: Stone
- Size: 42" x 26" x 23"
Mobius
About the Artist
Jason Quigno was just 14 when his mother forced him into taking a sculpture class. At the time, he didn’t expect it to lead anywhere—it was simply something to do. Now, more than 30 years later, he’s still sculpting, still evolving, and still deeply connected to the work.
Quigno is drawn to contemporary design and clean lines. He works in all kinds of stone and is known for transforming dense, heavy, rigid blocks into flowing forms that seem curl and interlock with a sense of movement.
Much of his work carries Anishinaabe symbolism, serving as a visual language that Quigno uses to educate viewers about Native American culture.
“Part of my mission as an Anishinaabe artist,” Quigno says, “is to tell the stories of my people through stone—to keep them alive—so that several thousand years from now, the Anishinaabe people and their stories will still be here.”
Location
400 Culver St., Saugatuck, MI 49453
Experience this Sculpture
Walk around the sculpture.
Most sculptures are placed on pedestals or bases to bring them closer to eye level. Why do you think Jason chose to set Nokomis directly on the ground?
Perhaps it’s because, to him, Mother Earth is the most meaningful pedestal. The stone came from the earth and has been part of it for ages. Resting it on the ground feels both natural and reverent.
Move closer.
This piece is part of Quigno’s Boulder Series.
In Anishinaabe tradition, stones are believed to be alive with the spirit of the ancestors. These ancestors carry stories and memories for those who are open enough to hear them. Jason named this sculpture Nokomis, meaning “grandmother” in the Anishinaabe language.
Step back from the sculpture
You’ll notice that Quigno leaves part of the stone’s surface untouched so you can see his creative process. He begins each piece with a raw, textured boulder and searches for a form hidden within. As he looks at the stone, he waits for an idea or concept to emerge. The transformation from concept to art begins as he chips, carves, and sands. Quigno always keeps part of the natural surface to honor what the stone was before it became art.
