Jazmin Li
The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is home to many art installations, including Leo Sewell's Penguin, a sculpture composed of welded and bolted aluminum objects. Installed in 1999, the sculpture depicts a penguin holding a suitcase, waiting for a ride home. The sculpture was removed from its original location due to construction, and its current whereabouts are unknown. The penguin sculpture has become a beloved landmark for travellers, with some even posing for pictures with it.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Penguin |
| Artist | Leo Sewell |
| Composition | Found aluminum objects meticulously welded and bolted into place |
| Installed in | 1999 |
| Location | Lower-level curb of Terminal South, Hartsfield-Jackson Airport |
| Current Status | Removed due to construction |
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What You'll Learn
Leo Sewell's 'Penguin' sculpture was installed in 1999
Leo Sewell's "Penguin" sculpture was installed at the Hartsfield-Jackson airport in Atlanta in 1999. The sculpture is composed of found aluminium objects meticulously welded and bolted together to form an oversized penguin with a suitcase, standing alongside human companions and waiting for a ride. Sewell, a Philadelphia-based sculptor, is known for transforming scraps of metal and discarded junk into art, including other animal sculptures like elephants, cats, and eagles.
The "Penguin" sculpture has been a beloved landmark at the airport, with some people even making it a ritual to take pictures with the sculpture during their travels. In fact, one person recounted how their husband and daughter would take a picture with the penguin every time they travelled, a tradition that began when their daughter was just 8 months old.
However, at some point, the sculpture was removed due to construction. It is unclear if the sculpture will be reinstalled, but it has been missed by travellers who cherished it as a unique feature of the airport. The penguin sculpture's removal highlights how artwork and exhibits at airports can come and go, often without permanent guarantees.
The "Penguin" sculpture's presence at the airport added a touch of whimsy and surprise to the travel experience, showcasing how art can enhance public spaces and create unexpected moments of joy and connection for people on the move.
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The sculpture is composed of welded and bolted aluminium objects
The "Penguin" sculpture at Atlanta Airport, created by Leo Sewell, is composed of welded and bolted aluminium objects. The sculpture is an oversized penguin, patiently waiting with a suitcase in hand, on the lower-level curb of Terminal South. The welded aluminium penguin has been a beloved landmark at the airport since its installation in 1999.
Sewell's unique artistic process involves transforming scraps of metal and discarded junk into art. The penguin sculpture is composed of meticulously welded and bolted aluminium objects, carefully crafted to form the shape of a penguin. The aluminium objects are found and recycled, giving them a new purpose as part of the sculpture.
The sculpture's composition of welded and bolted aluminium creates a striking and distinctive appearance. The choice of material adds to the overall impact and uniqueness of the artwork. Aluminium is a lightweight and malleable metal, which allows for intricate details and complex forms to be created. The welding and bolting process involves joining the aluminium objects together to form a cohesive structure.
The welded and bolted aluminium objects are carefully arranged and connected to create the form of a penguin. The sculpture's composition and construction showcase Sewell's artistic skill and creativity in transforming ordinary materials into extraordinary art. The use of aluminium adds to the sculpture's durability and longevity, ensuring it can withstand the busy airport environment.
The composition of welded and bolted aluminium objects is a testament to Sewell's attention to detail and craftsmanship. Each object is carefully selected and placed to contribute to the overall structure and aesthetics of the sculpture. The aluminium objects are welded together, creating strong and durable joints that ensure the stability and integrity of the artwork.
The "Penguin" sculpture at Atlanta Airport, composed of welded and bolted aluminium objects, is a unique and captivating artwork that has become a beloved fixture at the airport. Sewell's creative use of recycled materials and meticulous craftsmanship have come together to create a lasting impact and a memorable experience for travellers passing through.
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The penguin sculpture was available for purchase for $45,000
The penguin sculpture, titled "Penguin", was created by Philadelphia-based sculptor Leo Sewell. Installed in 1999 at the Hartsfield-Jackson airport in Atlanta, the sculpture was composed of meticulously welded and bolted found aluminum objects. Standing alongside human companions, the oversized penguin with a suitcase in hand appeared to be waiting for a ride.
The unique sculpture was available for purchase for $45,000. Created by transforming scraps of metal and discarded junk, the penguin was one of Sewell's many distinctive creations, which included welded elephants, cats, bulldogs, eagles, and human torsos.
Despite being a striking piece of art, it is surprising that no wealthy art collector or corporation had purchased the penguin sculpture during its time on display at the airport. The sculpture had become a beloved landmark for travellers, with some families even making it a ritual to take pictures with it during their travels.
The penguin sculpture's availability for purchase at $45,000 presented an opportunity for art enthusiasts and collectors to acquire a one-of-a-kind piece. It also raised questions about the value and appreciation of art in public spaces, especially in a transit hub like an airport, where diverse audiences from all over the world could appreciate it.
The sculpture's potential sale and removal from the airport also sparked discussions about the transient nature of art installations in such spaces. Like the penguin, other art pieces at the airport had come and gone over the years, replaced by advertisements, LED video walls, or removed due to construction and renovations.
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The artwork was removed due to construction work
The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is not just a gateway to journeys but also a destination for art enthusiasts. The airport is adorned with various art installations, including Leo Sewell's "Penguin," which was installed in 1999. This oversized sculpture, composed of meticulously welded and bolted aluminum objects, stood alongside human companions at the lower-level curb of Terminal South, patiently waiting with a suitcase in hand.
However, in 2015, regular visitors to the airport noticed that the beloved penguin was missing. According to sources, the artwork had been temporarily removed due to construction work. The penguin, which had been a fixture at the airport for 16 years, was created by Philadelphia-based sculptor Leo Sewell, known for transforming scraps of metal and discarded junk into art.
The removal of the penguin sculpture due to construction work sparked emotions among travelers, especially those who considered it a ritual to take pictures with the artwork. The construction work at the airport also impacted other artworks, such as the giant ants by local multimedia artist Joe Peragine, which vanished in 2016, and the photomural by Deborah Wian Whitehouse, which was replaced by an LED video wall.
While construction work can disrupt the placement of art installations, it is important to note that artwork and exhibits at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport are subject to change. The airport employs three arts administrators and utilizes a panel-review process for selecting commissioned works, ensuring a dynamic and diverse artistic environment for travelers to experience.
As construction projects conclude and the airport continues to evolve, there is a possibility that Sewell's "Penguin" and other beloved artworks will find new homes within the airport, continuing to captivate and surprise travelers with their unexpected beauty and whimsical charm.
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Hartsfield-Jackson Airport has a panel-review process for selecting art
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is one of the world's busiest airports, serving over 107 million passengers per year. It is also one of the largest art exhibition spaces in Atlanta, displaying over 1000 pieces of artwork. The airport's art program, which was recognised with a Governor's Award for the Arts and Humanities in 2017, integrates art into the daily fabric of the airport for the benefit of passengers and employees.
The airport's art program has a panel-review process for selecting art. This process involves the airport program managers proposing a pool of artists to choose from, convening a panel of local and national art authorities to select an artist, internal approvals, and legislation authorising the mayor to enter into an agreement. The art program commissions site-specific artwork, produces and curates rotating exhibits, and manages performances and artist programming.
The airport's art initiative began in 1979 when the Domestic Terminal was constructed during Maynard Jackson's first term as Mayor of Atlanta. Jackson was a vocal arts advocate, and the airport commissioned and installed large-scale, permanent artworks by several renowned artists. However, an ongoing program was not instituted, and the artworks were not maintained.
After the 1996 Olympics, the city hired a small team to curate rotating and permanent exhibitions and grow the airport's collection. The airport's art program has since expanded significantly, with more ambitious and sophisticated commissions, including multimedia elements and internationally known artists. The program has also included installations by local artists, youth art galleries, and permanent tributes to civil rights icons.
The process of exhibiting art in the airport comes with unique challenges, such as dismantling large works into smaller pieces to fit through security and installing artwork overnight to avoid disrupting passenger flow. The airport's art program aims to engage passengers, inspire contemplation, and showcase Atlanta's cultural relevance.
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Frequently asked questions
The Atlanta airport penguin is an art installation titled "Penguin" by Leo Sewell. It is composed of found aluminum objects welded and bolted into place.
The penguin was installed in 1999 and stood on the lower-level curb of Terminal South at Hartsfield-Jackson Airport.
The penguin was removed due to construction and has been missing since. It is unclear if it will be reinstalled.
