Deedee Morrison Sculpture
Confluence
Laser Cut Stainless Steel with LED Lighting
17’H x 5’D
Northwestern State University - Natchitoches, LA
2021
With the installation of the Confluence sculpture, Northwestern University acknowledges the rich history and educational legacies that have been passed down generationally since the school was established in 1884 by the founders of the State Normal College.
The sculpture's shape was Inspired by the silhouette of the pen quill with its humble origins dating back to ancient civilizations, and holds a special place in the history of writing and technology. This simple instrument, made from the feather of a bird, played a pivotal role in shaping the way humans communicated for centuries. It was the precursor to modern writing tools and, by extension, modern technology. The development of the pen quill led to innovations in ink and paper, paving the way for the printing press, typewriters, and eventually, computers and smartphones. The evolution of writing technology, from the pen quill to today's digital devices, highlights the interconnectedness of historical and technological progress, showcasing how even the most basic tools can lead to transformative advancements in human communication and innovation.
The basket weave pattern inspired by the pottery of Caddo Indians that once inhabited the area. Within the pattern are laser cutouts that depict the leaves of a pawpaw tree and the zebra swallowtail butterfly, whose caterpillars feed exclusively on pawpaw leaves in a co-evolutionary ecosystem. Pawpaw is a native fruit bearing tree, from which the Natchitoches Tribe of Louisiana derives its name, translated from the Caddo language as “place of the pawpaw''.
Just as in the Southern quilting traditions, these cultural legacies are maintained by women who continue to pass on the tradition mother-to-daughter, one generation to the next. The conical shape of the form reflects the tip of a pen quill and its connection to the importance of the written word in documenting our shared history.
Commissioned through the Percent for the Arts Program by the Office of Cultural Development- Division of the Arts
Department of Culture, Recreation, and Tourism
State of Louisiana, 2021
In loving memory of Anne Dixon - Belcher, LA (Class of 1924)
(Deedee Morrison’s Grandmother).