Religous Figures
The series of steel figures, created by Rob assisted by others at the Rikoon Studio, are displayed in Santa Fe, NM and Asheville, NC. They depict practitioners of the world’s major religions. These sculptures include a 15-foot crucifixion outside a landmark church in Asheville, a Muslim prostrating while facing Mecca (one in Asheville and the other in Santa Fe), Moses dancing while holding the ten (10) commandments, a praying Jewish rabbi carrying the Torah (covering his eyes in the orthodox tradition) , a female Bodhisattva in a semi reclining and relaxed pose, and an androgynous figure inspired by the Hindu god/goddess Shiva. This series highlights spiritual values such as prayer and service that unite all religions.
North Side of Oshara Village Sculpture Park
The Oshara Sculpture Park North, located at Saddle Blanket Road in Santa Fe, NM, features four religious figures, The Burghers of Calais, and a homage to Ed Haddaway.
The three sculptures of religious figures at Oshara Village Sculpture Park North form a quiet dialogue between faiths and philosophies. A Muslim kneels on a prayer rug, Moses dances as he receives the Ten (10) Commandments, and a reclining Buddhist embodies compassion in a fully relaxed pose.
The Muslim is a supplicant before Allah, eyes down, reflecting the sacred principle that God is not to be seen directly. The Buddhist’s pose, soft and at ease, reminds the viewer that wholeness is gentle and unforced. Moses looks upward, a figure of moral authority and revelation, offering a counterpoint to the introspective stillness of the other figures. Together, the sculptures explore the varied ways humans encounter the divine and inner harmony.
Moses and the Ten Commandments
Jewish Rabbi Praying at Wailing Wall 2021, Steel, 2’ x 4’ x 6.5’
Bodhisattva of Compassion 2022, Steel, 4’ x 3’ x 7.5
Kneeling Muslim on a Prayer Rug 2022, Steel 3’ x 5’ x 3.5’
Homage to Ed Haddaway
This early sculpture was crafted from scrap materials received from the well respected Albuquerque artist, Ed Haddaway and his wife, Barbara Forshay.
“The Burghers of Calais”
Rob’s interpretation of The Burghers of Calais reimagines Rodin’s iconic work with a contemporary lens, exploring themes of sacrifice, resilience, and shared humanity through bold form and presence.
Oshara Sculpture Park-North
Next to the Pantry Dos restaurant
Saddle Blanket Rd. Santa Fe, NM 87508
The north side of Oshara Sculpture Park brings together works that explore faith, memory and the human condition. Here you’ll find three figures representing a few of the world’s great religions, alongside Homage to Ed and The Burghers of Calais. This area invites contemplation of shared struggles and spiritual connections across cultures.
Oshara Sculpture Park - South
To the south of the Pantry Dos restaurant, on the right as you turn off Richards Avenue, is a 1 acre park which features The Oxherding Series and a Dancing Shiva. The paths, steel picnic table and benches were designed by Rob and built with the incredible assistance of the neighborhood’s guardian angels, Lynne Keller and Beth Detwiler.
The Oxherding Series
In the Zen Buddhist tradition, oxherding is a metaphor for the journey towards full realization of one’s essential and eternal nature, often called enlightenment. The stages of this journey are traditionally depicted in the Ten Oxherding Pictures. These illustrations, typically from China and Japan, have accompanying commentaries that describe the path from ignorance to awakening. They use the allegory of a simple herder, searching for and eventually taming an ox, to symbolize the Zen practitioner’s uncovering of their true nature.
Shiva
Dancing figure (loosely based on Shiva, the Hindu god/goodness of creation/destruction) is neither male nor female.
Oshara Sculpture Park
South Side
2 Willow Back Rd. Santa Fe, NM 87508
The paths through the south side of the park lead one through a journey of transformation. Anchored by the full Ox Herding Series and the powerful presence of Shiva, this section reflects themes of discovery, balance, and awakening. It’s a space to walk through slowly, reflect deeply, and connect with the art’s meditative spirit.
The Crucifixion
Haywood Congregational Church, Asheville, NC
The first of the religious figures series to be completed is a fifteen(15) foot high crucifixion located outside a landmark church in Asheville, North Carolina. This congregation provides shelter, food and other forms of care for the homeless and indigent population of the area. The crucifiction faces a major highway interchange and the Rikoon Studio’s intentional restriction of its vocabulary to the use of steel pipes, square tubes and other recycled industrial parts viscerally delivers the message that industrial materials (and their associated technology) have become so integral to modern life that the human physique can be effectively represented by geometric components. The crucifixion was the first of the series because it is one of the most common sculptural images in western civilization and this piece served to establish our artistic vocabulary.
The inspiration for this series of religious figures is that most people have an interest in knowing more about the personas of ascended masters, whether or not one practices a traditional religion or not. The figures are united by the theme of individual prayer and active service to others. The Rikoon Studio feels that art should be accessible to the public at no charge and should speak to the viewer no matter how much or little arts education they have received up to this moment in time.
The Haywood Street Congregation
297 Haywood St, Asheville, NC 28801
Viewing “The Crucifixion” Sculpture
Located at The Haywood Congregational Church in Downtown Asheville, NC, The Crucifixion is a striking outdoor sculpture that can be viewed both up close and from the road.
To experience the piece in person, park at the church and walk to the back of the building. The sculpture is situated in the open field behind the church, facing the highway. It offers a powerful and contemplative presence, especially when viewed up close.
For a drive-by view, the sculpture is also visible from the front of the church. If you're entering downtown Asheville from I-240 or I-26, keep an eye out—it’s visible from the road and makes a dramatic impression as you approach the city.