September 8, 2021 |
Local leaders held a ribbon cutting yesterday for the life-sized horse sculptures installed at a high visibility intersection in Rawlins. The artwork, created by a local father-son duo, is made entirely of reclaimed metal sources from all corners of Carbon County. Cali O’Hare spoke to the artist at yesterday’s dedication and filed this report.
Pictured above: Rawlins Mayor Terry Weickum (center right) and County Commission Vice Chair Sue Jones (center left) cut the ribbon held by Rawlins DDA Executive Director Pam Thayer (far right) and board member Stephanie Hinkle (far left). City and County official surround them. Photo by Cali O’Hare/Bigfoot 99.
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The mare stands 15-hands high. Her legs are made from pick axes and spikes from the Union Pacific railroad, a hunting trap, and pieces of a wood burning stove — all seen in this photo. Her rump was made of an old tractor seat.... and a railroad spike. Her tail was created using crosslinks from old tirechains. Photo by Cali O'Hare/Bigfoot 99.
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The mare stands 15-hands high. Her legs are made from pick axes and spikes from the Union Pacific railroad, a hunting trap, and pieces of a wood burning stove — all seen in this photo. Her rump was made of an old tractor seat.... and a railroad spike. Her tail was created using crosslinks from old tirechains. Photo by Cali O'Hare/Bigfoot 99.
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The mare stands 15-hands high. Her legs are made from pick axes and spikes from the Union Pacific railroad, a hunting trap, and pieces of a wood burning stove — all seen in this photo. Photo by Cali O'Hare/Bigfoot 99.
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A Union Pacific pickaxe used on the mare's back leg bears the date, "1965." Photo by Cali O'Hare/Bigfoot 99.
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Speaking to Bigfoot 99, artist Richard Harrison explained the mare’s face is made of old wrenches, ball bearings and shovels, and a piece once used in a uranium mine. The three horseshoes on her neck, followed by the O-ring and seven strands of rusted metal mane represent Wyoming's area code: 307. The sculptures were created by father and son Richard and Michael Harrison using scrap metal salvaged from across the county, which the Harrisons then welded together. The mare was first installed in December 2020, and the colt was added in May 2021. The dedication was held Tuesday, September 7, 2021. Photo by Cali O'Hare/Bigfoot 99.
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This May 14, 2021 photo was taken shortly after the colt was installed to the north of the mare.
Its neck and chest were created from old tirechain crosslinks, which also comprise its mane and tail. Its hips are made of a pressure plate clutch from a standard transmission. Photo by Cali O'Hare/Bigfoot 99.
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This May 14, 2021 photo was taken shortly after the colt was installed to the north of the mare.
Its neck and chest were created from old tirechain crosslinks, which also comprise its mane and tail. Its hips are made of a pressure plate clutch from a standard transmission. Photo by Cali O'Hare/Bigfoot 99.
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Rawlins Mayor Terry Weickum (center right) and County Commission Vice Chair Sue Jones (center left) cut the ribbon held by Rawlins DDA Executive Director Pam Thayer (far right) and board member Stephanie Hinkle (far left). City and County official surround them. The sculptures were created by father and son Richard and Michael Harrison using scrap metal salvaged from across the county, which the Harrisons then welded together. The mare was first installed in December 2020, and the colt was added in May 2021. The dedication was held Tuesday, September 7, 2021. Photo by Cali O'Hare/Bigfoot 99.
Related: Scrap metal gets new life as horse sculpture in Rawlins