PAUL COZE - Public Works from the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum

"...the spirit perishes if untended."   ...Kandinsky

Recently I traveled to Phoenix to spend some time with an old friend.  Kathy and I have been friends since we were twelve.  We have that kind of friendship where it doesn’t matter how long it has been since we last talked, we just pick up right where we left off the last time we were together...and our conversations are always filled with lots of laughter!

I decided to go a couple of days early because I had something very important to do.  I wanted to get some pictures of any public artworks by Paul Coze that are still standing today…

Paul Coze was the artist who, in the 1960’s and early ‘70s, was responsible for giving Phoenix its very unique southwest flair through public works…his creations spoke of our Native Americans and their way of life, of modern society, our history, technology and our future.  Mr. Coze had spent much time with the tribes in Arizona, learning their customs and beliefs…he established lasting friendships with these peoples. 

Paul Coze’s artwork is rich in symbolism…it is said that he used 52 different natural elements in the making of the mural that even today hangs in Terminal #2 at the Phoenix Airport… elements such as earth from the reservations, the Grand Canyon, Oak Creek Canyon…copper, granite and feathers, etc. Mythology also played a part in his work…his Phoenix (the bird, somewhat altered in appearance now) is still rising from the ashes at the Town and Country Shopping Center on 20^th St. and Camelback Road… 

It was 119 degrees in the shade the day that I pulled up to the gates.....

 (read the rest of the story on my blog...and see the images at: 

http://www.ninabaldwin.blogspot.com   )