Homebound by Leonard Suryajaya
In the spring of 2023, we had the privilege of collaborating with Chicago-based photographer Leonard Suryajaya on his project Homebound, a public land art installation at the northern end of the Grant Park waterfront trail. More than a backdrop for festivals and skyline views, Grant Park serves as a sanctuary for the city's residents. Homebound was one of twelve pieces created by a diverse group of artists and supported by the E(art)th Chicago collective, which brought these works to neighborhoods across Chicago.
Collage as Image and Structure:
Mirroring the style of collage used by Leonard in the work, we used CNC cut aluminum panels pieced together as a 3D puzzle. Emulating the wrapped collage work he did in the past in a more durable “outdoor” material. We explored fabrication techniques which transformed the work into something of permanence against the elements. Using this expertise, Homebound was able to withstand spring in Chicago.
The formation mimics the shape of a Maneki-Neko or “lucky cat”, reminiscent of Suryajaya’s upbringing in Indonesia, surrounded by silhouettes of fruit- creating a sort of dismantled fruit-stand.