Paula Zima.com - Tequski' wa Suwa (bear and child)

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"Tequski' wa Suwa"

   "Tequski' wa Suwa" (bear & child)
   Bronze, w36" x h42" 1988
Plaza of the Mission San Luis Obispo de Telosa,
   San Luis Obispo, California

   This fountain sculpture grouping resides in the plaza in front of the
Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa in San Luis Obispo, California.
My intention in creating the piece is to honor the two major life forms
of the region, before the influx of the European culture, the indigenous
    Chumash people and the Grizzly Bear.

"Tequski' wa suwa" is a Chumash phrase, in the dialect of the people
who lived right where the mission now is. It means "bear and child".

I have many fond memories of small coincidences that took place
during the project. Perhaps the best one was in the evening after the
   installation ceremony in September 1988. On a beautiful clear blue day,
   after a long hot, dry summer, after a two year drought, it rained...
a big heavy wonderful rain, the first rain of the season.

Funds for the sculpture were provided by the Stanley P. Von Stein
    memorial trust, and the Mary Jane Duval memorial trust