News / The Cultured Traveler

The Cultured Traveler

Public art in airports is nothing new. But what you’ll see in Lambert is extraordinary.
Photography by Kevin A. Roberts 20140728_Airport_0050.jpg
Where: In the Terminal 1 ticketing lounge Artist: Zhu Wei, a Beijing-based artist known internationally for his ink paintings, engravings, and sculptures Back Story: Installed this July, this piece is on loan from the Gateway Foundation. If it looks familiar, that’s because it once sat in front of the Starbucks in the Central West End.
Photography by Kevin A. Roberts 20140728_Airport_0081.jpg
Where: Throughout Concourses A and C Artists: Various Back Story: These pieces narrowly escaped destruction during the 2011 tornado—installation was delayed by a week, so they were safely in storage when it hit. The list includes The Confluence (Joan Hall, Gate C5); Mimic (Mel Watkin, Gate C9); Vivere est Volare (Tom Huck, Gate C15); Dream of Flying (Sarah Giannobile, Gate C18); Reflections on Clouds (Jana Harper, Gate C24); Untitled (Missouri Coverlet Abstraction 1850s to 2010) (Lauren Adams, Gate A4); A Whim- sical View (Edna Patterson-Perry, Gate A8); Wherever (Eva Lundsager, Gate A2); and Slipstream (William LaChance, Gate A15).
Photography by Kevin A. Roberts 20140728_Airport_0122.jpg
Where: Throughout Concourses A and C Artists: Various Back Story: These pieces narrowly escaped destruction during the 2011 tornado—installation was delayed by a week, so they were safely in storage when it hit. The list includes The Confluence (Joan Hall, Gate C5); Mimic (Mel Watkin, Gate C9); Vivere est Volare (Tom Huck, Gate C15); Dream of Flying (Sarah Giannobile, Gate C18); Reflections on Clouds (Jana Harper, Gate C24); Untitled (Missouri Coverlet Abstraction 1850s to 2010) (Lauren Adams, Gate A4); A Whim- sical View (Edna Patterson-Perry, Gate A8); Wherever (Eva Lundsager, Gate A2); and Slipstream (William LaChance, Gate A15).
Photography courtesy of Lamberts–St. Louis International Airport 20140728_Airport_0251.jpg
Where: Outside the airport, on the lawn west of Terminal 2 Artist: Mexican painter and sculptor Leonardo Nierman, whose work has been shown at the Museum of Modern Art, the Vatican Museums, and Madrid’s Museum of Contemporary Art Back Story: Dedicated in July 2011, this 10-foot-tall steel sculpture was originally shown at the Saint Louis University Museum of Art, before being given as a gift to the city of St. Louis from Mexico.
Photography courtesy of Lambert St. Louis International Airport new-village-walking-feet.jpg
Where: At the Concourse C entrance Artist: Alicia LaChance Back Story: This 41-color, 20-foot-wide sunburst terrazzo floor was installed in a refurbished Concourse C, after heavy repair for damage caused by the tornado. It’s inspired by folk art, but it’s also meant to convey movement and modernity.
Photography courtesy of Lambert St. Louis International Airport nucleic-life-formations-mur.jpg
Where: In Terminal 1, alongside the MetroLink platform Artist: New York muralist Amy Cheng Back Story: This mural was installed last year, thanks to Metro Transit and Metro Arts in Transit. The abstract patterns, made from ceramic tiles, aim to draw a connection between star constellations and a strand of DNA.
Photography courtesy of Lambert St. Louis International Airport rat-race-art.jpg
Where: In the Terminal 1 baggage-claim area Artists: Various Back Story: Opened in 2012, this showcase for local and regional artists is chosen through proposals submitted to the advisory committee. New exhibits rotate in every four months. This fall, you’ll see an exhibit of works from the International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum.
20140728_Airport_0050.jpg
20140728_Airport_0081.jpg
20140728_Airport_0122.jpg
20140728_Airport_0251.jpg
new-village-walking-feet.jpg
nucleic-life-formations-mur.jpg
rat-race-art.jpg

People don’t go to the airport to look at art. But what’s been installed in the past three years is pretty stunning—and more is in the works, thanks to the Airport Art Advisory Committee. Until those pieces are unveiled, seek out these pieces.

NOTE: On October 2, Lambert throws its fourth annual Art of Travel party, to raise funds for its Art & Culture Program.This year’s theme is inspired by ’40s film noir. Click here for details.

Get a fresh take on the day’s top news

Subscribe to the St. Louis Daily newsletter for a smart, succinct guide to local news from award-winning journalists Sarah Fenske and Ryan Krull.

We will never send spam or annoying emails. Unsubscribe anytime.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.