Artist Emily Teall poses inside her sculpture, “Tulip Bulb”

By Jack Robinson

WESTPORT — The Grace K. Salmon Park has always been a calming place for nature lovers to take a walk, bring pets and appreciate the natural beauty of the Saugatuck River area.

What better place for a sculpture that encapsulates the changing seasons and the coming of spring?

To celebrate the arrival of spring, a new sculpture was dedicated Sunday afternoon. The sculpture, called “Tulip Bulb,” was made by local artist Emily Teall. It was installed at the park in January.

“Tulip Bulb draws on natural imagery of bulbs and wombs to evoke a gestation period in which the sitter can grow through introspection and reflection before re-emerging into the community,” Teall writes about the work on her website.

“The intricately perforated, subtly painted metal walls facilitate interactions with the outside even as the sitter remains protected. Tulip Bulb provides a semi-permeable space that encourages the participant to look inwards yet retain the expectation of re-emergence into the community.”

It was a laborious process, having started construction in early 2017 and finishing it in December 2019. Before arriving in Grace K. Salmon Park had a home in both downtown Stamford as well as downtown Norwalk.

“I began with the frame of steel rods that you can see inside, and then I drew templates for the leaves that I cut individually and then would shape to the frame,” Teall said. “I also made a pillow inside, by hand, so that people could sit inside the way that I intended. You can spend time there, and have a peaceful, semi-private space.”

Curiosity about nature is a driving force for her art, and the “Tulip Bulb” was partially inspired by the natural world Teall witnesses on the many nature hikes she takes.

“The idea behind ‘Tulip Bulb’ was to create a large piece that would be interactive,” she said. “I chose tulips, particularly for their symbolism in Dutch history and still-life’s. They’ve been used as a currency as well as a symbol of rebirth.”

The sculpture was selected by the Westport Arts Advisory Committee (WAAC.) as part of a new initiative to place sculptures around some of Westport parks.

“When we were thinking about Grace Salmon, and how open it is and facing the water, we thought that the ‘Tulip Bulb’ would be a perfect addition here, especially because you could sit in it, and look out, and meditate and relax and see the beautiful flowers,” said Dina Upton, member of WAAC.

The sculpture unveiling featured speeches from Upton, Teall, Westport Poet Laureate Donna Disch reciting her poem “Dwell,” and music from ukulele musician Steve Forlano. The crowd was also addressed by First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker about the personal importance of the park to her.

“I’ve always smiled when I park at Grace K. Salmon Park before, and I always smile when I walk it, but now, my smile is so huge,” Tooker said. “Driving by this, parking right here, looking at it, it does exactly what all of us know art can do. It brings out such joy.”

Jack Robinson is a junior at Staples High School, who also writes for Inklings magazine. He is a featured writer in the Journal’s ongoing effort to highlight local student writers in our coverage of Westport.