FORM AND FUNCTION

The sculpture is a hit at CNM.

Students at Central New Mexico Community College are able to study, read, or just simply relax underneath a beautiful, large-scale, five-piece sculpture thanks to artist Karen Yank. The sculpture, titled “Growing Strength,” is currently her tallest, rising at 20 feet, making it one of her biggest projects to date. One will find “Growing Strength” on the westside of the Student Resource Center building, a perfect location for students to gravitate towards.

Yank competed for the commission to build the sculpture and won. “There were two criteria: one, it had to be something that would occupy the entire plaza making it usable for students. Second, the sculpture had to showcase CNM celebrating 50 years as an institution,” explained Yank. With the criteria in mind, several of the units from the sculpture provide shade and there are different levels of seating.

She purposely placed one of the elements next to the book drop so students could have a place to set down their bookbags; there is even an element that she thought would be perfect to place a cup of coffee. Yank stated that CNM is important to the community because of all that they offer to new students as well as “life-long learners.” She wanted to embrace that and show how much CNM has grown. The flower, which makes the shaded structure, represents 50 years of progress, growth, and outreach to the community.

“It took a great deal of time,” said Yank. It took about a year to build the sculpture and a month to place it on CNM’s property. But she didn’t do it alone. Yank had help from CMY Inc. (an Albuquerque fabrication firm), who she has worked with for many years. “Growing Strength” is fabricated out of four different unique metals: Corten, steel, stainless steel, and

There’s something about immersing yourself in work and getting that handson experience, which is why Yank is really big on doing outreach work and inviting different classes to her studio. The students are able to ask questions and learn about her process.

Just last year, Yank was the recipient of the Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts. This prestigious award hit home for Yank because her mentor and friend Agnes Martin received the award in 1998—Yank was able to attend the ceremony. Yank recalls Martin saying that she too would receive the award, and a little over 20 years later, she was right.

For over three decades, Yank’s art has made an impact on the communities in New Mexico. —DLM