Nita Sunderland (Ruins III)

1981-2004, Bronze and limestone
H 10 ft. 3 in. x W 14 ft. 2 in. x D 10 ft.
City of Chicago Public Art Collection, gift of the U.S. General
Services Administration, Art-in-Architecture Program

LOCATION:
East Riverwalk
between Columbus and Lake Shore Dr.

Ruins III, part of the Ruins series, was inspired by artist Nita Sunderland’s travels in Italy and England. It reflects her ongoing interest in parallels between medieval and contemporary society. In this case, Sunderland suggests the isolation that exists within a greater community dynamic. Physical separation is suggested by the placement of the figures, while division imposed by societal roles is implied by the figural silhouettes of knights, a leper and a medieval woman.