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Portal by Barbara Grygutis
Photo CreditPhoto courtesy of McKay Lodge Fine Arts Conservation Laboratory, Inc.
Portal
Photo CreditPhoto courtesy of McKay Lodge Fine Arts Conservation Laboratory, Inc.

Portal

Artist
Year1995
Classification sculpture
Medium handmade ceramic tile on cast concrete
Dimensions11.5 x 17 x 14 ft. (350.5 x 518.1 x 426.7 cm)
Credits Commissioned through the Art in Architecture Program
Fine Arts Collection
U.S. General Services Administration
Location
  • Portal is a handmade ceramic tile on cast concrete that functions as a gateway to greet visitors to the United States. Flanked by two Spanish Dagger plants, the sculpture resembles an ancient corbel Mayan arch, resting atop a two-tiered platform that is split in half.  Grygutis views her artwork in the context of the local region (the plants, the water and the agriculture) and also considers the two countries sharing a border and a river. The blue color of the tile represents the water of the local resacas and the Rio Grande, while the green reflects the earth and the agricultural nature of the border station; and its copper tinge symbolizes the industry in the valley.  In addition to creating the entire sculpture, Grygutis landscaped the area and returned native plants and trees to the site.