The City of Brookhaven, Georgia recently announced that it would be the next host of the traveling sculpture exhibit “Wings of the City,” a collection of large sculptures created by internationally-acclaimed Mexican artist Jorge Marín. 

“El Tiempo” by Jorge Marín

Nine works were installed at key points around the city, with Oglethorpe University becoming home to the sculpture “El Tiempo” for the next year.

According to the artist, the exhibit “seeks to transform the life of public space and give voice to the community, using art as an awareness tool around the issue of migration.” In placing these sculptures throughout the city, the exhibit seeks to connect the community through a common language — art. Further, the series is a way to connect with the strong Latin-American population in Brookhaven.

The “Wings of the City,” began its journey in Mexico in 2010 and has since debuted in major cities across the country, including Fort Worth, Anaheim, Denver, Santa Ana, Dallas, San Antonio, Sacramento, Houston and Raleigh.

Now in Brookhaven, the exhibit has works on view at the Mexican Consulate, Northeast Plaza on Buford Highway, along the Peachtree Creek Greenway, at the Latin American Association on Buford Highway, Cross Keys High School, and Oglethorpe University.

“El Tiempo” was installed on the lawn of the Conant Performing Arts Center early last week, as students in OU Museum of Art Director Elizabeth Peterson’s Museum Studies class observed the process.

Elizabeth Peterson and her Museum Studies students

“We are very proud and grateful to partner with the city and other community organizations here with this project. I am impressed with how swiftly it all came together,” says Peterson, who also sits on the Brookhaven Arts and Culture Commission.

The Commission was formed in January 2021 and seeks to enrich the City of Brookhaven with art for the community to enjoy.