Give Him Flowers

2020

Hand cut free stacked sheet glass, concrete, wood

66” x 22” x 13”

Joseph Gedeon

Left Cap-Haitien, Haiti

to Nassau, Bahamas in 1959 and

emigrated to the US in 1976.

Employed at

Bakehouse Art Complex

1984-2021.

Handyman, grounds expert

and beloved by all

for sharing his

spirit, life and light.

In his words,

“Merry Christmas Every day!

Hallelujah!

Peace and Love!

Amen, Amen, Amen!”

“Give Him Flowers” is a life-sized sculpture of Joseph “Joe” Gedeon. He worked for the Bakehouse, first when it was a bakery and then when it became an artist residency, for more than 35 years. In the sculpture, he holds his bible, as he does for all important pictures.

Glass captures and refracts light. It is fragile and requires care, like the interactions between one person and another. The clear glass represents his likeness, but more importantly his spirit. Joe always exudes joy and loving kindness.

The base is skim coated with concrete, a reminder of all the repair work Joe did. It is also meant to convey that it takes great strength to be consistently authentic.

Joe embodies generosity, light, and love. He is a beacon. In honor of Joe and his exemplary ways of being, I invite you to take a moment every day to be a small gift in someone’s life. Be a bringer of light and joy.