I can’t remember how many times I went back to look at the small sculpture of a fish sitting on a couch. It was colorful and made of paper-mâché. The symbolism was satirical which appealed to my snarky humor. It was from an artist new to me – Stephen Hansen. I resisted bidding on it, but I thought about that little fish for a long time after. It became “my fish that got away” story. 
“Pack-O-Pups” sculpture by Stephen Hansen Some years later, as I was looking at the City’s public art inventory, I noticed an artistic bus shelter that had a very familiar aesthetic but no artist credit. I did a little digging and sure enough, it’s the work ofStephen Hansen, the same artist who’s sculpture I still regret not purchasing. I have since discovered that the little fish artist is a world-renown artist living in Las Cruces. He shows his work in elite galleries throughout the country, has art pieces in the Smithsonian and other major museums. His work is collected by art lovers everywhere. For Las Cruces to have a bus shelter designed by him is very cool. 
“Here Kitty Kitty” sculpture by Stephen Hansen In October of 2003, the City contracted with local businessman Richard Parra to construct the bus shelter. Mr. Parra commissioned Mr. Hansen to design an art component to it. The artist fabricated a metal sculpture in the shape of a man sitting at the bus stop with an arrow pointing down with the words “You Are Here”, which is the title of the piece. The sculpture was designed to have a natural rust patina, a technique that works well with our desert environment. It’s such a simple design but sparks a happy reaction, as does most of his work. A mural, painted by Las Cruces High School students at the same time, serves as a backdrop. “You are Here” is located on Espina Ave. near Tony Gomez Park. 
“You Are Here” bus shelter by Stephen Hansen on Espina Ave. How great is it to have a Stephen Hansen original gracing the side of a city street? Residents would probably be surprised to hear that fans from all over the world would be thrilled to visit this sculpture in person. Las Crucens own an art piece that could easily be in any Hansen art collection, available for their enjoyment any time. I may have lost out on the little fish on the couch, but now, whenever I see “my” Hansen sculpture as I drive by, it makes me smile. 
Rubber Ducks blog is brought to you by the Las Cruces Public Art program to share ideas, information, discussions, trends, and all things public art. Please send comments and ideas for future blogs to[email protected].
