"Guardian of the Water"
Description
The “Guardian of Water” is a granite sculpture, with a mosaic and frieze around the base. It was created by Donal Hord in 1939, with support from the WPA.
The sculpture is a 23′ high figure of a woman holding an olla on her left shoulder, symbolizing the need for water conservation in southern California. She is surrounding by a mosaic of kneeling nudes- symbolizing clouds- pouring water from jars over a dam into a citrus-fruit orchard.
The San Diego Historical Society Museum has on display a small scale plaster maquette and a film about the creation of this work.
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"Guardian of Water" statue
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"Guardian of Water" plaque
Source notes
https://newdealartregistry.org/
https://www.sandiegohistory.org/hord/guardian.htm
'San Diego Civic Centre Fountain and Donal Hord, Sculptor', by Federal Art Project, California. (at the San Diego Public Library)
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how can i post more photos, i have original b/w photos of the statue dated 1938.
Henry,
You can either submit them through our form, or e-mail them directly to us at:
[email protected] and we will post them.
Can’t wait to see them!