New 28-Foot Steel Tree Sculpture Coming To Wicker Park

CHICAGO, IL — A new 28-foot steel tree sculpture is coming to Wicker Park this summer. Wicker Tree, by Chicago artist Mike Helbing, was commissioned for $30,000 by Wicker Park Bucktown Special Service Area #33. The sculpture will be installed in the northwest corner of Wicker Park on Monday, July 23, and will remain for at least five years, SSA said.

Helbing is a member of Chicago Sculpture International, and has many years of experience with public sculpture installations. He worked as a production manager for the famous American sculptor Richard Hunt, and participated in both the Lakefront Sculpture Exhibit and the Chicago Sculpture Exhibit.

The kinetic, stainless steel public art installation includes a whimsical crown of thin stainless ribbons and wire rope, welded into forms that will hang like weeping willow leaves. During the winter, LED lights can be focused on the tree to celebrate its movement and give it a festive seasonal look, the SSA said.

Wicker Park Bucktown SSA #33 funded the planting of more than 130 trees in 2016 and 2017. The group also maintains a comprehensive tree management and care plan for the neighborhoods.

“Maintaining and planting trees in the neighborhood has been a major priority for us over the years along with supporting local artists,” said WPB SSA #33 Arts Committee Chair David James Ginople in a media release. “We are proud to ‘grow’ the urban forest of Wicker Park with Mike Helbing’s striking new sculpture, which is a whimsical reminder of the importance of trees throughout Wicker Park and Bucktown.”

Image: Rendering of the Wicker Tree sculpture by artist Mike Helbing. Courtesy of the artist.