When I began to think about making a sculpture for Fishers Island, I started with a question: How can I create something visually generous and fun that responds to the customs, landscape, and architecture of this unique community while simultaneously honoring Lighthouse Work’s significant 10-year milestone as a local cultural institution?

When I think of mid-Atlantic summer communities like Fishers Island, The Cape of Massachusetts, and Fire Island I think about homes clad in shingles and shutters devoted to the pursuit of leisure with family and friends. A classic shutter motif I love are the kinds with cut-out silhouettes of moons, diamonds, and even candles where function is unapologetically abandoned in favor of ornamental pleasure. The design for Candle emerged from researching these motifs. The sculpture’s form is a dramatically scaled-up replica of an existing shutter design found in my research extruded from 2D to 3D. I chose a palette that invoked seaside confectionaries, clear blue skies, and the faded colors of comfy well-loved beachwear. Visually Candle gently stands out from the natural landscape but pops with optimism and joy to complement the relaxation and revelry found on the island during its peak season. A candle is a timeless domestic instrument – a way to know what is real when the nearby world is obscured by darkness. A lighthouse functions like this too – which is why I decided to make the sculpture, positioned on the water, illuminate at night like a beacon.

I want to thank Lighthouse Works, the Fishers Island Community, and the talented folks at Versteeg Art Fabricators for helping realize Candle. Seeing the sculpture fully realized has been an incredible gift to me and my work, and I hope the community finds much joy in it during the 2022 season. Cheers to all!

Chris Bogia
June 2022