Throughout its history, Memphis has been a regional, national, and global epicenter for the movement of goods and the exchange of ideas. Sitting at the geographic crossroads of the Mississippi River and a vast network of railways and highways, the city has served as a critical point of departure and transit for centuries, from the Trail of Tears to the Great Migration. Due to this strategic location, Memphis has also been defined by the convergence of diverse people and ideas. The suspended sculpture Intertwining, a collaboration between artist Yancy Villa and architecture firm brg3s, captures this sense of a powerful, interconnected journey, celebrating shared human experience while also embracing the differences that make our community strong and resilient.
The sculpture employs the metaphor of weaving, an ancient practice found in cultures across the globe and still practiced today, including by traditional Chickasaw basket weavers and quilters in our region. Using suspended acrylic slats, the artists create a network of fragmented strands that converge to form a dynamic, complex tapestry. Alluding to Memphis’s significant, and at times, contentious history and present, the sculpture is a patchwork of areas of discord and harmony, with threads representing every dimension of the city. While we may have different origins and destinations, for a moment, we all share this journey together.
We are a global epicenter where change-makers, world-shakers and idea-breakers come together to create, challenge and change the world around us. In Memphis, we call it soul, and it is reflected in every aspect of Intertwining. Our heart, hospitality and hustle. Our generosity, diversity and creativity. Our innovation, determination and collaboration. Our sound, style and spirit. This is our social fabric. This is our soul.
As soul guides us and our great city on this collective journey, we recognize that our travels are never truly complete. Neither is Intertwining, as the installation shows the threads of our past and present, with our future waiting to be woven. In that future an enduring invitation is extended – for those who change the world, welcome home.
Yancy Villa uses the power of art to create awareness and engage in a conversation on issues of social justice, equality, and shared prosperity. Her latest collaborative projects, GEMS Memphis 3.0 and the Barrier Free art installation, were developed through a process of deep engagement with underserved individuals and communities. Villa is a Kennedy Center fellow, and her work has been recognized by grants and commissions from the Smithsonian Institute Latino Center, the National Association of Latino Arts and Culture, the Tennessee Arts Commission, ArtsMemphis, and UnidosUS, among others.
As part of a lineage that began with the architectural firm Walk C. Jones, brg3s builds upon over 119 years of design excellence. They pride themselves in providing timeless, inspiring designs that are an asset for the entire community. Working with Villa on Intertwining are Jason Jackson, principal and Lead Design Architect at brg3s and the 2019 AIA Young Architect of the Year, and Susan Golden, an award-winning architect and principal of brg3s.
