Located on a knoll near the renowned Muirfield Village Golf Club, “S/WING” draws
inspiration from the sinuous pattern of a bird’s wings in flight and the striking
similarities to the body mechanics of a golf swing. More specifically, it is inspired byJack Nicklaus’s iconic swing, as well as the countless swings made since 1974 andthose still to come.
The work’s dialogue between avian movement and human dynamics connects
the site’s historical context with its contemporary use. “S/WING” is an abstract
reflection on how birds are regarded as guides and messengers in Shawnee and
Wyandot traditions, as well as in Irish-Celtic lore. Revered as figures that move
between worlds, birds signal intuition, transition, and connection to the natural
environment—symbolism that reflects a long-standing cultural understanding of
flight as both spiritual and ecological. In further connection with the geography
and history of the land as sustenance, the sculpture also fuses green elements
into the overall form, to simulate it seamlessly rising up from the site.
Today, the sculpture celebrates these layered histories while supporting the mission of Dublin's Art in Public Places program to strengthen community identity. For residents and visitors, it offers a place for reflection and inspiration, linking the region’s historical roots with its present-day character, including its connection to golf and the recreational life shaped by Muirfield Village Golf Club.