The
theme
of
pilgrimage,
of
the
journey
of
faith,
inspired
sculptor
Johnny
Bear
Contreras
as
he
created
the
bronze
Native
American
Memorial
in
the
Plaza
of
the
Cathedral
of
Our
Lady
of
the
Angels.
The
Cathedral's
adobe
color,
its
brightness
and
light
motivated
the
artist
to
design
art
that
was
natural,
"that
looks
like
an
extension
of
the
earth."
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The
lower
portion
of
the
sculpture
captures
the
ocean
tide
coming
to
the
sand
and
onto
reefs,
to
and
fro,
back
and
forth.
It
emphasizes
the
natural
current,
the
movement
of
the
earth.
Many
Native
American's
ancient
songs
refer
to
the
natural
movements
of
the
earth.
Their
ceremonies
deal
with
humans
adjusting
to
the
natural
rhythms
and
timings
of
the
earth.
|
A
figure
of
a
human
becomes
apparent
on
the
rear
portion
and
symbolizes
the
actual
progression
of
man
emerging
out
of
the
rhythms
of
nature
as
part
of
the
creation
story.
The
figure's
left
arm
extends
out,
grasping
the
reef
to
propel
himself
further
or,
perhaps,
to
stabilize
himself.
The
sculpture
thus
deals
with
the
duality
of
life
and
of
humankind
in
transition.
"Often
times,"
says
Contreras,
"man
can
be
moving
like
liquid,
or
sedentary
like
stone.
He
may
be
slumped
on
the
steps
that
society
has
placed
before
him,
or
he
might
have
created
the
steps
on
which
he
will
fall.
The
steps
might
also
be
for
advancement."
The
bronze
sculpture
is
about
4'x8"
high
and
about
3
1/2'
wide
at
its
broadest
point
and
weighs
about
600
lb.
The
rock
steps
on
the
lower
left
represent
the
journey
and
struggle
of
humans
as
they
reach
for
higher
planes
of
understanding.
Contreras
hopes
people
will
run
their
hands
along
the
inner
texture
of
the
inner
circle,
out
and
around
the
edges
along
the
grooves,
taking
them
toward
the
figure,
off
the
figure
and
back
to
the
rim.
Whether
the
hands
go
up
or
down,
everything
comes
back
to
the
center.
He
hopes
children
will
walk
up
the
steps,
near
the
statue
and
touch
it,
"feel
a
part
of
it
and
be
a
part
of
it."
Learn
more
about
the
ARTIST.
