Accomplished artist Joan Waters installed her latest series, “Totems,” at the entrance of Park Central after a successful exhibition of her work at Park Central’s Artlink Gallery, “mood room.”
The pieces showcase a captivating exploration of shadow compositions and a unique fusion of nature’s energies and forms through intricate Corten® steel sculptures.
Originally hailing from England and now an active participant fixture in the Phoenix art scene, Waters earned her BFA from The Maryland Institute, College of Art. Inspired by the intense desert light of Arizona, she has become known for her sizeable abstract acrylic paintings and distinctive metal sculptures.
Waters’ “Totems” series is a testament to her artistic journey, encapsulating her fascination with the mysterious shapes formed by the desert sunlight casting dense and distinct shadows. The installation provides a unique opportunity for art lovers to immerse themselves in the dynamic interplay of light and form, as each three-dimensional sculpture casts its own distinct shadows.
“I’m thrilled to showcase my ‘Totems’ series at Park Central,” Waters said. “The desert’s intense sunlight has been a constant inspiration for me, and this exhibition allows me to share my exploration of shadow patterns and their transformative potential to activate imagination.”
Park Central, a vibrant hub for art and culture in Phoenix, provides an ideal backdrop for Waters’ visually arresting artwork. The sculptures, from east to west, are “Totem: Desert Flower”, “Totem: Los Animales” and “Totem: Deconstructed Shadow”.
The “Totems” series by Joan Waters at Park Central is not only a celebration of artistic innovation but also a testament to the enduring power of nature’s influence on the creative process. Art enthusiasts, collectors, and the general public are invited to witness the pieces and engage with the dynamic synergy of light and steel.
At age 34, breast cancer surgery and six months of chemotherapy forced Waters to take time off to get well; during this period of introspection, a re-examination of priorities led to her decision to commit more time to painting, drawing, and exhibiting her work more often.
Waters exhibits her work extensively in the Scottsdale and Phoenix areas and the East Coast. Recent commissions include public art for the Cities of Phoenix, Mesa and Chandler. Her work is in many private and public collections including the Phoenix Sheraton, Burton Barr Library, Ryan House, Congregation Or Tzion and iLuminate on Roosevelt. Waters completed the Desert Landscaper Certification at Desert Botanical Garden with the intention of combining desert plants with her sculptures.
“We were pleased to welcome Joan’s incredible work to our mood room gallery at Park Central,” said Catrina Kahler, President & CEO of Artlink, which helps curate the public art at Park Central. “Her work is very dynamic and provides a wonderful focus on light and shadow that showcases well on the property.”
Plaza Companies and Tucson’s Holualoa Companies have teamed up to redevelop Park Central into a vibrant destination, which once was the city’s first official large-scale shopping mall. The companies have transitioned the expansive space from a retail center to an almost 500,000-square-foot bustling community hub ideal for playing, working, congregating and celebrating the arts.
“This sort of exhibition is just what we envisioned when we made the commitment to revitalize Park Central with a focus on the arts,” said Sharon Harper, Chairman and CEO of Plaza Companies. “We look forward to sharing Joan’s work with the community in the coming months.”
Park Central includes 500,000 square feet of Class A creative office and retail space available for lease with the ability to accommodate tenants ranging from 3,500 square feet to more than 100,000 square feet in size. It features exclusive tenant patios, on-site restaurants and amenities, a stunning mid-century modern design, 15- to 25-foot ceilings, convenient bike path and light rail access and ample parking. For more information on the project, visit www.parkcentralphoenix.com.
About Plaza Companies
With offices in Peoria, Scottsdale and Tucson, Plaza Companies is a full-service real estate firm specializing in the management, leasing and development of medical office and commercial office properties, technology and bioscience facilities, mixed-use properties and senior housing communities. Since 1982, Plaza Companies has established a proud track record as a competitive, connected and conscientious real estate firm with partnerships throughout the industries it serves. For more information, visit www.theplazaco.com.
About Holualoa Companies
Holualoa Companies is a real estate investment firm focused on the successful acquisition, repositioning, redevelopment and disposition of real estate assets. Headquartered in Tucson, Arizona, with offices in Phoenix, Santa Monica, Hawaii and Paris, its investments span the United States and Europe and include office, retail, industrial, multi-family, hotel and mixed-use investment properties. Holualoa is an experienced investor for its own account and on behalf of a select group of private investors. For more information, visit www.holualoa.com.
About Artlink Inc.
Artlink keeps the arts integral to our development by connecting artists, businesses and the community. Founded as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization by artists in 1989, the Artlink name is a guiding principle for the organization, as it supports stakeholders of the arts and culture community, amplifying its collective strength. For more information about Artlink, please visit artlinkphx.org/and Artinerary.com Connect socially with Artlink on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
About Joan Waters
Joan Waters works out of her Tempe studio, and often hosts Open Studio events to share new work and works-in-progress with the public. She welcomes commissions and enjoys the synergy of creative process. Connect with her on Instagram @joanwatersart and her blog where she writes about her work. JoanWaters.me
