Her Secret Is Patience

Her Secret Is Patience is a 145-foot-tall aerial net sculpture suspended above Civic Space Park, made of steel framework and polyester twine in multiple layers. The structure sways with the desert winds and casts shifting shadows on the ground below.

The sculpture was installed in 2009 as part of downtown Phoenix's urban transformation and marked a shift toward public art in the city. This period saw increased investment in contemporary installations throughout the downtown area.

The title references Ralph Waldo Emerson's philosophy about patience in nature and human life. Colored lights shift through the seasons, creating a visual display that visitors can watch as the year progresses.

The sculpture is best viewed during daytime when wind movement is visible and shadows play across the ground, though the colored lights activate in the evening for a different experience. Visit when the sky is clear to fully appreciate the interaction between the work and natural elements.

The entire net requires replacement every five years due to sun and desert heat degrading the polyester material. This planned renewal cycle reflects the artist's concept that patience itself is an ongoing practice rather than a single achievement.

GPS coordinates: 33.45340,-112.07462

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:55