July 2021

COMMISSION FOR THE VICTOR, DALLAS, TEXAS

Brendan Jamison's International Sculpture Studio received a commission to create 10 artworks for The Victor, a new Hines skyscraper at Victory Park, Dallas. This project is the brainchild of Mayfield and Ragni Studio (MaRS), an interior architecture and design company in Houston. Jamison was asked to make the world's largest golf tee artwork and 9 thin figures from steel and resin. The elongated figures are titled 'Stretch' and will remain on permanent display in The Victor's lobby. The sculptures were shipped from Northern Ireland to the USA, with Dallas art technicians installing the works during May-July 2021. 

Over the course of a year, Jamison worked on the large golf tee artwork, which is built in 21 sections and features 31,500 bamboo tees, all hand-painted in 5 shades. The face is inspired by world-renowned golfer Jordan Spieth. Jamison chose this local hero as the subject of the artwork as Spieth was born in Dallas in 1993 and became an outstanding legend of the game, inspiring millions of golfers around the world. It took 6 months to fine-tune the design and then a further 6 months to create the wall sculpture. The tees are inserted into a soft grey foam, installed snugly into a bespoke wall in The Victor's Sport's Lounge. The portrait is 426 cm long (14 feet) and stands 286 cm high (9.5 feet). Jamison attempted to capture the intense focus in Speith's eyes, that moment just after he hits a shot when his jaws, lips and eyes freeze still, that split second of total concentration.

The abstract figures evolved throughout the design process. The final concept saw the removal of the arms and feet to offer slender shapes to better interact with the verticality of the lobby. Each body appears to form out of an abstract lump at the base of the legs. Jamison's sculpture partner Mark Revels was chief sculptor for the tall figures, ranging in height from 365 cm (12 feet) to 244 cm (8 feet). The abstract bodies have an internal steel skeleton with metal rods that descend from the base into the concrete floor. This was deemed the best method to create stability for the slender sculptures. After welding the steel shapes of each figure, the body is created with many layers of resin. The 9 figures are finished with a bronze patina.

Jamison states: "It has been wonderful working on this project with Kelie Mayfield, Erick Ragni and Rachel Grady of MaRS. The Victor's interior architecture is like a beautiful museum, with the lobby sculptures offering a striking focal point that connects the exterior to the spacious interior. With high ceilings and an abundance of natural light flowing into the lobby, the space is infused with an uplifting ambience of positive energy. It feels like a sculpture garden with pedestrains animating the elongated figures as they walk past on the street. It has been a delight to work with such a professional team in Texas, proving once again why MaRS win so many awards as they deliver a unique interior design with artistic flair and bespoke magic."

MaRS

MaRS is an interior architecture studio founded by principals Kelie Mayfield and Erick Ragni whose passion for collaboration and diverse expertise in design has been the catalyst for innovative and memorable spaces around the world. Based in Houston, Texas, with 60 years of experience in more than eleven countries worldwide, MaRS is dedicated to bringing beauty, function, innovation and design integrity to each project. The firm’s award-winning portfolio includes hotels, multifamily housing, corporate offices, retail and restaurant spaces, and single-family residences, and each design exemplifies a deep respect for the project’s environmental, economic and social context. In addition to its interior architecture and design services, the firm designs furniture, carpets, fabrics and wall coverings and curates artwork and accessories, delivering holistically conceived, fully realized environments. Each finished MaRS design tells a personalized visual story with a crisp modern aesthetic. The company website can be viewed at www.marsculture.com

Hines

Founded in Houston in 1957, Hines is a privately owned global real estate investment, development and management firm, with a presence in 240 cities in 27 countries and $160.9 billion¹ of assets under management—$81.7 billion² in assets for which Hines serves as investment manager and $79.2 billion³ representing more than 172.9 million square feet of assets for which Hines provides third-party property-level services. The company website can be viewed at www.hines.com