One woman adds her own personal touch to downtown Indianapolis streets as our city primes for its Super Bowl debut. Joanie Drizin, owner and artist of Girly Steel in Noblesville, IN, is best known for her unique steel and metal landscape sculptures. She has created a new series which features stylized footballs perched on a tall base– reminiscent of a very famous trophy. I recently interviewed Joanie to find out more about this project and her work.
How did this sculpture project come to be?
I was contacted by The Brickman Group, a landscaping company which maintains the city’s downtown planters. They reached out to me in June about the possibility of collaborating on this project whereby they would design the plantings and I would design a sculputral piece for the large-scale planters. I agreed to submit designs for consideration and that’s how the process began. I created 4 initial designs which were reviewed by a committee. The designs were enthusiastically received and I was then asked to create physical to-scale samples.
Were you given complete creative control or were there parameters set forth for the sculptures?
I wouldn’t say there were strict design parameters. I think this was a result of Brickman already being familiar with my work. The requirements were simply to A) incorporate a football, and B) the size should be 4 to 5 feet tall. A requirement was that they must fit into preexisting concrete planters. I took it from there and put pen to paper, sketching until I was satisfied with some initial designs.
Many new design variations were inspired as I was fabricating the first samples. I documented these in case there would be a need for more. Again, this phase went smoothly and now the work would need to be approved by Indianapolis Downtown Inc.
How many total sculptures did you create and how long did it take to fabricate them?
When all was said and done, I created 20 sculptures comprised of 16 originals and only 4 repeated designs. My original samples were approved by the local group that had commissioned me. I didn’t get the city’s final approval until late August. I worked diligently to complete the 20 pieces by early December. That’s about 3 months of intense cutting, bending, and welding.
Sounds like it went very smoothly.
It did for the most part. It was touch and go there for a while. You see, when you work with subject matter like this, for this particular event, the higher-ups certainly have their say. When we didn’t hear back from them right away, we wondered if the project would be cancelled. They eventually got back with us and it was full steam ahead.
What are the plans for the sculptures once game day has passed?
I’ve been told that the city will auction them off when the event is over.
Your website mentions that you have dabbled in many mediums. Tell me how you came to like metal, steel, and welding.
I have a background in commercial art. I grew up and studied in Cincinnati, OH, then moved to Broad Ripple (an Indianapolis neighborhood) as an adult. I’ve always had a strong interest in fine art and began taking classes at the Indianapolis Art Center. My main focus was pottery and I even had a full Ceramic studio in my home. However, I was very intrigued with the Metalsmithing class and decided to try it one day. I was hooked and slowly began to give myself over to it. Eventually, I sold off my Ceramics equipment and traded in my potter’s wheel for a welding helmet.
Was landscape sculpture an immediate choice, or did you work into it?
I would say it was a pretty immediate choice. I love gardening and found myself placing my sculptures outdoors in the landscape. The plant material kept inspiring me, so it was a natural fit. The gardening gene has been passed down to my son who studies plant biology and conservation at Northwestern University. He also works at the Chicago Botanic Garden.
Can you tell me about your connection to gardening and how your work fits into that?
There was always a bit of exposure to gardening in my childhood as my mother kept small backyard gardens. It wasn’t until I was an adult and on my own that I really developed as a gardener and began to apply my creativity to my own perennial beds. After I moved to Indianapolis, I had the time to devote to it and I began exploring creative expression through gardening. Though today, my time is mostly devoted to the sculptures.
One of my favorite aspects of your work is the intentional lack of coating the metal. Tell me about that symbolic gesture.
Yes! I just think the raw rusty color blends nicely with nature. I believe that nature’s own beauty is the star and my works are there to enhance it- not overtake it. The rusting metal changes and that symbolizes the passage of time.
I love how the sculptures look in winter– the rusty brown color in contrast with the snow. I deliberately incorporate geometric shapes and cutouts to catch gentle snowfalls which highlight the silhouettes.
What is the best way for people to purchase your work?
I’d love it if everyone could visit my studio in Noblesville, IN and see the actual pieces in the sculpture yard, but I realize that’s not possible, so I suggest they call or visit my website. GirlySteel.com
Do you accept commissions?
Yes. I squeeze them in from time to time– between fabrication for my general inventory.
What is inspires you?
I would say I draw the most inspiration from nature and contemporary design. It’s fair to say that I have a passion for both and the best qualities of each always find their way into my work. I strive to find a balance between the two to achieve a holistic sensibility. And let’s not forget whimsy- you gotta smile and laugh too!•
Who knows if we’ll see any snowfall on these wonderful sport-themed sculptures. Either way, visitors are bound to enjoy the work of this Indiana artist as they gather in the streets and enjoy everything we Hoosiers have to offer. Girly Steel is located in Noblesville, IN, (317) 490-1980. To see more of Girly Steel’s work, please visit the website: GirlySteel.com
