Peace Chant, Sculpture in Portland, Oregon
Peace Chant is a stone sculpture in the South Park Blocks between Jefferson and Columbia streets, made of large granite blocks with a rough, weathered surface and visible tool marks. The installation sits at an angle on a green area and invites visitors to sit and spend quiet moments nearby.
The sculpture was installed in 1984 by artist Steve Gillman and is Oregon's first peace memorial. In 1985, the city council named the surrounding area Peace Plaza, establishing it as a place for reflection and community gathering.
The name 'Peace Chant' links the idea of peace with a collective voice, reflecting the community's desire for harmony. A poem inscribed nearby speaks of hope and a better future, inviting visitors to pause and consider their role in creating it.
The sculpture is easily accessible and sits in an open park under the sky, allowing visitors to walk around freely. Children can climb or jump on the stones, and there is plenty of space to sit nearby and read the poem or spend quiet time.
The artist used a wire saw to cut the blocks directly from the ground, leaving visible grooves that emphasize the craft and natural origin of the stone. These tool marks are often overlooked, yet they reveal how Gillman respected the material's integrity and made the process part of the finished work.
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