St Francis Preaching to the Birds
Wiktor Szostalo
St Francis Preaching to the Birds
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St. Francis Preaching to the Birds, installed at Old Mission San Luis Rey de Francia in Oceanside, California.
Wiktor Szostalo's St. Francis Preaching to the Birds communicates St. Francis of Assisi's determination to preach to everyone, regardless of status. He considered all wildlife his brothers and sisters and followed Jesus' example of including people of all backgrounds and stations in his ministry.
Szostalo's work of art is at once a visual treat and an auditory experience because the birds in the tree catch the wind, and they are connected to chimes, ringing in the breeze.
The sculpture is composed nearly enirely of stainless steel and welded from the ground up. The birds are composed of glass and glisten in the light.
St. Francis is 7 feet in height, and the tree is approximately 14 feet. For future projects dimensions can be altered to fit the space available.