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The Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters will be closed from 10:00am–1:00pm on December 6th, 7th, 8th, 13th, and 14th for public school programming. The site will be open to the public with guided tours from 1:00pm–4:15pm. We apologize for any inconvenience.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bri Salley
Director of Marketing & Communications
912.790.8862
salleyb@telfair.org

Installation shot of Earth Angel courtesy of David Kaminsky.

SAVANNAH, GA – April 14, 2023 – Telfair Museums presents an exciting new art installation, Earth Angel by FriendsWithYou, at the Jepson Center. The inflatable sculpture consists of an expansive, reflective butterfly suspended from the atrium ceiling and will be on view through Spring 2024.

Creative artist duo, FriendsWithYou, was commissioned to create Earth Angel after a successful presentation of BLOW UP: Inflatable Contemporary Art in 2022. Artists Samuel Borkson and Arturo Sandoval III designed the sculpture with a mission to foster connections among people and promote community building worldwide in mind.

As part of their conceptual project to rename our planet “Ocean” and unite humanity, Earth Angel represents a celestial visitor to Ocean, symbolizing vibrational harmony. FriendsWithYou Samuel Borkson & Arturo Sandoval III explains, “Earth Angel, a creature from beyond the heavens, visits the planet Ocean. This entity is the embodiment of vibrational unity in all things, inside the infinite universe(s), this phenomenon is made visible in this form, Earth Angel. Its mirror-like surface symbolizes the universal totality present in all things, as all matter is equal and ever-changing, we see our own selves in this mythological character distorted, transformed, and anew.”

FriendsWithYou have exhibited their work in museums and public venues worldwide, and have created their hit pre-school animation series, “True and the Rainbow Kingdom” on Netflix, and were invited to create their “Little Cloud” icon as a giant helium inflatable in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2018.

Artists Samuel Borkson and Arturo Sandoval III

“We are excited for visitors to experience the awe and joy of the epically sized friendly creature Earth Angel,” said Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art Erin Dunn. “FriendsWithYou’s vision and goal to bring kindness and love to the world through art making is reflective of Telfair Museums’ mission to build a community and inspire through art.”

The sculpture’s installation is part of Telfair Museums’ ongoing strategic plan that prioritizes excellence community, and engagement of the arts.

Visitors are encouraged to share photos and feedback online, tag @telfairmuseums & @FriendsWithYou. For more information about Earth Angel, please visit www.telfair.org/exhibitions/earth-angel/.

There are no upcoming events at this time. Please check back soon!

About Telfair Museums

Opened in 1886, Telfair Museums is the oldest public art museum in the South and the first U.S. museum founded by a woman. The museum features a world-class art collection in the heart of Savannah’s National Historic Landmark District and encompasses three sites: the Jepson Center for the Arts, the Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters, and the Telfair Academy. For more information on Telfair Museums, visit telfair.org.

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Mailing Address
Telfair Museums
PO Box 10081
Savannah, GA 31412
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