Neighbors adore man's creative yard sculptures

DEKALB, Ill. -- Some people like to put pink flamingos in front of their homes. For others, the ubiquitous garden gnome or maybe a brightly painted mailbox is the way to go.

But for artistic and aesthetic value, few have DeKalb sculptor Brent George beaten.

George has a large steel egg on his front lawn, framed by a waist-high landscaped berm composed of dirt dug out from under his house and stones that were once part of a long-demolished building.

Made primarily from triangular steel scraps that were welded together after being molded in a cast, the egg is the second of George's sculptures to take its place in front of his home. Last fall, a bronze titled "Trip on a Brick" occupied the space.

"Trip on a Brick" shows a futuristic-looking man carrying a thin briefcase and outfitted with virtual reality goggles. Although the ribs and muscle tissue are apparent, he also has joints and tendons that look like machine parts.

Makes cultural comment

As he walks, the man trips on a cinder block. George acknowledged that the piece could be seen as a critique of capitalism and technology. But at the same time he said he wasn't out to make a cultural statement. The beauty of art, he said, is that it allows people to construct their own meaning.

As for the egg -- well, sometimes an egg is just an egg. George said that it's one of those shapes that can work well for an artist.

But why turn part of his front yard into an outdoor museum for his works?

"Really, by its nature, bronze is a public art," he said. "Because it endures so well, it can endure the public."

Neighbor Linda Dunham said George's artwork is a good addition.

"It's definitely gotten people's attention and they have a lot of good things to say about it," she said.