In Situ: Gary Lee Price - The Circle of Peace
In Trenton, NJ, beside the waters of the Delaware River, adjacent to the baseball stadium, there is a beautiful park. It runs above and alongside the river, as a tunnel winds directly beneath it. Having stations displaying the rich history of the area. there are also constructed arches; each one signifying the ages of Trenton history, from the time of the native peoples, through the industrial age, into the technological age.
Amidst the trees by the children’s playground, I discovered the most joyful of sculptures; a ring of seven children, running, jumping, playing with clasped hands. I can hear their laughter, their singing. There’s even a space where you can join hands with them and close the circle, singing their song with them.
Though I knew not the story of this sculpture, I know I was transported by it - back to the time when we ran and skipped, and danced and sang.
What follows is the story of the sculpture by its creator, artist, Gary Lee Price.
The Story of Circle of Peace
I watched on television an interview with a former white supremacist. At age eighteen, he was imprisoned because of his violent acts. The interview became very interesting to me as he recounted his reformation while in prison.
He told how, prior to his sentence, he vehemently avoided people of other races. Simply: they were to be hated, they were to be abhorred, and they were to be despised. For a time, he was in solitary confinement.
Overnight, he was placed in an environment where interaction with men of many colors and from many cultures was a welcome experience. Relationships developed. Biases subsided. Upon release from prison, he found himself free from the prejudices and the bondage that had previously tied his hands and soul.
Today, he takes a radical stand against such actions, like those found in his own sordid past, by speaking out in public forums. He exposes the thought process and violence of hate groups. He coaches a multi-cultural youth hockey team.
This story fascinates me. The prejudice could only occur when there was no interaction. When the associations were built, the barriers were destroyed. Friendships occurred. This idea is what Circle of Peace represents; portraying children from all walks of life playing with and enjoying each other. The children form a circle, which represents the continuum of humanity. The clasped hands represent the interaction and cooperation, together with compassion and respect, which engenders humanity. Respect for each other’s uniqueness bridges the gap between any indifference.
I created a space in the circle and it is fascinating to watch children interact with the piece. Quickly, they notice the gap and instantly clasp the two outstretched hands and complete the circle. Each and every person is a vital element in this wonderful circle of life.
–Gary Lee Price
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