Taking wing on 'Nike's Shadow'

Originally published Saturday, November 6, 1999

By REGINA HACKETT
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER

Leaving preschool at Bellevue's Crossroads Community Center with his mother and little sister, Connor Mallonee, 5, makes a beeline for Ken Turner's sculpture.

Turner would be pleased. His polychromed steel sculpture titled "Nike's Shadow" is a tribute to the Greek winged goddess of victory, Nike of Samothrace. He wants people to climb in and complete it, something children are far more likely to do than adults. Connor's teacher, Rosina Gunnoe, said the sculpture has proved a big hit with her students. Bellevue bought the sculpture and installed it in the community center, using art to help give the place character. For Connor, the piece is a complete success.

"I feel like I'm up in the sky," he said.

"You are in the sky," his mother replied nervously. "Hang on."

"I'm flying," Connor called back. "If I fall, the clouds will catch me. If the clouds catch me, I can say goodbye to my life."

Other public artworks in Bellevue worth checking out include "The City Within a City" by Nancy Hammer, at Northeast Sixth and 106th Northeast. It's an oval plaza in forest-green granite with a compass pattern mapping out the city, suggested by boulders. Amid the boulders runs a small stream, along with places for sitting. "Salmon Woman and the Raven" is a bronze sculpture by Tom Jay situated in front of Highland's Community Center, 14224 Bel-Red Road. In rings around the woman hang more than 120 salmon, a version of a Northwest Coast legend of salmon woman helping a tricky raven stay alive.