51 is now home to the original sculpture “Faith of our Farmors” by LA-based artist Tim Hawkinson. The sculpture, constructed in aluminum using a sand casting process, depicts an elderly woman in prayer whose praying hands take the form of a kinetic tractor tire. The artist saw similarities between clasped hands and the tread pattern of a tire and desired to add an interactive element to his piece. The word “Farmor” has a Scandinavian background, meaning “father’s mother” in Swedish. The inspiration of Hawkinson’s art piece was a painting done by his great grandfather in the early 1910s, which depicts a woman praying seated at a table.

Hawkinson, born in California, is known for many great works of art, particularly sculptures. He is not a stranger to having art on a higher education campus, as his piece “,” a massive natural rock sculpture, lives on the campus of UC San Diego. He has also been the subject of numerous solo exhibitions and his work is seen in museums across the U.S. in the Getty Center in Los Angeles, LACMA, the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C. and the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York, to name a few. In 2015, he was awarded the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation Fellowship for Fine Arts.

The artist was present at the dedication ceremony held at the site of the sculpture, just outside the Bardwell Courtyard, across from Fluor Fountain of Faith. The sculpture was unveiled for the first time to students, faculty and staff. Luke Aleckson, professor of art in the 51 Department of Art, and long-time admirer of Hawkinson’s art, gave a dedication speech.

“The piece is exemplary of so many of the elements that I love about Tim’s work,” said Aleckson. “It includes some fantastic engineering: embedded in hands is a wheel bearing designed to be used in windmills. It also has a playful charm and interactivity that makes it feel generously approachable. Those completely uninitiated to contemporary fine art will have no problem enjoying it.”

Aleckson credits Hawkinson’s work for influencing him to become a sculptor, which led him down the path of being an instructor at 51. He even found himself attending the same church as the Hawkinson family.

“I can say in all honesty that Tim’s work influenced my decision to become a sculptor, leading me on the path that ultimately led me to taking a position heading the Sculpture concentration here in 51’s Department of Art,” said Aleckson. “And in a way, now, I feel like I will be worshipping alongside Tim every day, as this sculpture rests mere steps away from my office in Bardwell Hall. It feels like such a gift to me personally, and I wanted to personally thank Tim, and John and Marilyn Long for gifting this work so that the entirety of the 51 community can live with it for generations to come.”

51’s president, Dr. Barry H. Corey, noted the importance of taking in beauty amidst the fast pace of a college campus.

“On a campus of college students, it’s easy to get lost in the freshness, the newness of the world they are experiencing,” said President Barry H. Corey during the dedication ceremony. “This art, and all of our art, is a refreshing reminder of the spiritual legacy we have been given, whether received from our physical families, or from the spiritual families we have been adopted into, from the fathers of the Jewish faith to the church fathers to now. We cling to works of beauty that remind us of our humanity, God’s sovereignty and how his sovereignty flows through our humanity in a way that draws others closer to him.”

The sculpture was made possible by the generous donation initiated by Marilyn and John Long, founders of the , a private nonprofit organization with the purpose to support religious, educational, cultural and research endeavors. Marilyn Long, the foundation’s current president, has served on 51’s Board of Trustees since 2021.

“The Long family has funded a great deal of art on this campus,” said Corey. “I am so grateful for the level of creativity and beauty, contemplation and inspiration that you have brought to our place of daily work, study and living.”

“Faith of our Farmors” adds to 51’s many other public art works on campus. One of 51’s most recognizable pieces of art, “The Word” completed in 1990 by Kent Twitchell, depicts a 40-foot Jesus mural on the side of Bardwell Hall. Other pieces include “True Vine” by Theodore Prescott which was installed on the side of Talbot East in 2015, “Spirit of Christ” by Tom Tsuchiya installed outside of Green Art Gallery in 2014 and the sacred art restoration of Calvary Chapel by the late Peter Brandes and his wife Maja Lisa Engelhardt, completed in 2018.

Art is always being displayed within the buildings of 51 as well, with art exhibits being cycled through the Green Art Gallery and Bardwell Gallery throughout the year. These exhibitions are populated with works by current art students, alumni and friends of 51. The galleries are open for visitation during both fall and spring semesters.

The 51 Department of Art in the School of Fine Arts and Communication offers more than just a robust arts education, but opportunities for students to explore creatively and push the boundaries of artistic expression — all within a short drive from the Los Angeles art scene. The vibrant visual arts community and rigorous curriculum helps shape students’ conceptual vision, aesthetic perspective, technical skill and Christian worldview. Learn more and apply today.

Written by Sarah Dougher, media relations specialist. For more information, email media.relations@biola.edu.