Isleta Boulevard “River of Life” (2006)
Located on Isleta Boulevard in Albuquerque’s South Valley, this series of five sculptures honors the Rio Grande and the life it sustains in its valley. This project was a collaboration with Paz and Deborah Jojola. A fourteen foot tall central sculpture at Armijo Plaza contains winter and summer views of the river and its wildlife. It is essentially a prayer to the Rio Grande. Four smaller “guardian” sculptures are located at bus stops north and south of the main sculpture. These sculptures honor different phases of human history in the river valley: early settlement by Clovis and Fulsom people; Pueblo culture; the ancient people of Mexico; Spanish settlement; the Route 66/Art Deco era; and the future of life in the valley.
Jesse Williamson, David Zamora, Kathleen Garcia, and Deborah Montoya were assistant artists. This project was funded by the Bernalillo County 1% for Art Program.