At the southeast corner of Sixth and Main Streets, a sculpture depicting ribboning metal has joined Wayne’s 2023 Sculpture Walk.
“Hydraulic Jump 1”, created by Kristin Garnant from Iowa, did not form from a plan. Instead, Garnant cut four long strips of steel banding and spent time bending and shaping, not really knowing what the next step or final product would be. After standing up the final piece, Garnant knew she had made something she wanted to replicate.
Now, three models of this sculpture have been created, with Wayne having the first project. The artist said she likes to choose names that both catch the attention of viewers, but also have a literal definition. After scouring the dictionary, she found what she was looking for. Hydraulic jump describes the bending of water, and in this case, the curving arcs of steel.
Garnant started in art when she was very young, having a special interest in drawing all the way through grade school. Instead of jumping right into the artworld after schooling, she spent some time focusing on jewelry making, photography, working as a pressman in an old letter press shop and binding books in a book shop.
Then, after wanting more creativity in her life, Garnet lept into the world of sculpture making. This venture has become her full-time job, creating pieces for installments in Midwest towns and having features in area sculpture walks. Previously, she would work on five to six projects a year, but that has lessened to two to three projects as she nears retirement.
In Coralville, Iowa, she constructed a commissioned waterfront piece as a tribute to local writers and art students there. Garnant also often collaborates with other artists for her sculptures.
Garnant attributed her love of sculpture walks, like the one here in Wayne, to the inclusiveness they bring to the art world. Often, Garnant explained, art is seen as an entitled area with everyday people excluded from the experience.
“With public art shows, more people have the opportunity to interact with art,” Garnant said. “This ignites interest, desire and shows people that they too can show off their creativity. It is fantastic that Wayne is willing to support the art community; presenting sculptures in this way shows that they see the importance sharing art with everyone.”
