Promise of a Rose Garden
Promise of a Rose Garden, 2023
Promise of a Rose Garden
A ‘Making Connections’ Project
250 Ceramic roses produced by Simone Kestleman and Peekskill Kindergarten, grades 1 and 2, classes of 2023.
‘In Tribute to Tupac Shakur’s: ‘The Rose That Grew From Concrete’
The rose planters, produced by the artist working with Peekskill’s K-2nd graders, carry a message of beauty and hope, the fragility of life, and the indomitable spirit of creativity.
For this project, the artist was able to share her love of ceramics, and her expertise in the production of ceramic works, to have Peekskill 1st-2nd grade students produce some 250 roses to place at their school, at HVMOCA, and here in the rose garden located at the corner of Washington and Central Avenues, referencing the hopes and aspirations voiced in the poetry of Tupac Shakur.
About The Artist
Simone Kestelman was born and raised in Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She has a BA in Economics from University Gama Filho, Rio de Janeiro. Simone’s work is in the permanent collection of the Newark Museum of Art, private collections in Brazil, USA and Europe.
Artist Statement:
“In my work, I reflect and comment on important social issues by looking at them through a personal yet global lens. I allow my education, travels, conversations and lived experiences, to inform and shape how I see the societies of which I am a part. I work primarily in glass, ceramic and photography. I use beauty and lightness to encourage people to face their relationships with love, life, fear of death, sadness, betrayal, greed and ambition. My goal is to establish a relationship between my work and the viewer.