Geri
Geri is an abstracted but life-size giraffe made from tubular stainless steel. He is approximately 18’ tall, and crafted from stainless steel pipe in three different diameters: 3”, 2.5”, and 2”). The pipe is 11 gauge thick (or 1/8” thick). The giraffe has its neck extended and its tongue reaching for the canopy of live oak leaves that frames its site in Pecan Bottoms. Notice how the abstracted form of this sculpture makes the amazing dimensions of a giraffe seem even more remarkable…and even comic. If you were to draw of sculpt an animal using just simple lines, what animal would you choose? and why?
By Robbie Barber
Robbie Barber is one of two local artists that were selected from the national call for proposals to create artworks for the Waco Sculpture Zoo. He is Associate Professor of Sculpture at Baylor University, and has lived in Waco for nearly 20 years. Originally from North Carolina, Barber has studied and taught in Arizona, Italy, New Mexico and Wichita Falls. Barber has been the recipient of several prestigious artist residencies and has exhibited his work all over the USA.
Robbie had long dreamed of doing a public art commission, so when the opportunity arose in his own city, he was especially motivated to throw hit hat into the ring. His work is characterized by his love of working with metal and other industrial materials that evoke rural America. He likes to add playful, quirky, and sometimes educational details to his designs, drawing attention to the fact that we are constantly surrounded by art and design that we don’t notice.
View all sculptures by this artist.Donated By
Betsy and Clifton RobinsonDid You Know?
- Giraffe’s legs alone are taller than many humans are.
- A giraffe’s neck is too short to reach the ground. As a result, it has to awkwardly spread its front legs or kneel to reach the ground for a drink of water.
- Giraffes only need to drink once every few days as most of their water comes from plants.
- Giraffes spend most of their lives standing up. They even stand up to sleep!
- Giraffes only need 5-30 minutes of sleep in a 24-hour period. They often achieve this in small one-minute naps.
Location
