Photograph by Nathaniel St. Clair
I recently came across a photo of a sculpture by one of Oregon’s most renowned artists, Bruce West. He has created many pieces of public art around Portland, and if you’ve spent time in the city, it’s likely you’ve encountered one or two. His large, abstract steel works draw inspiration from the flowing waters of our powerful rivers and the striking rock formations found hiking around the Gorge, the coast and Oregon’s high desert. Most of his sculptures are right out in the open, easily stumbled upon during a casual outing.
However, this particular sculpture has been tucked away in a secluded spot since 1973—underground, directly beneath 4th Street in downtown Portland. It’s not featured on any sightseeing maps, as far as I know, and remains largely unknown except to those who work in the Standard Insurance Building and use the underground walkway to access the parking garage across the street.
Well, I had to see it in person. Here’s a video of my journey into the basement corridors of corporate Portland to discover this hulking hidden gem of twisted metal:
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