Edgar Statue, HOFers Murals, and Other Ballpark Art

HOFers Mural (2020), 'Weirdo'

Walter Jones, Jack Sikma and Edgar Martinez have been immortalized in a SOHO mural located on 1st Ave South in Seattle, about a block south of T-Mobile Park, and painted by local artist, Jeff Jacobson, a.k.a. 'Weirdo'. On our way to a Mariners baseball game we spotted the spectacular Edgar mural painted on a textured wall covered with small stones. What a surface to paint on! I love the colors and the faint outline of #11 in the middle layer.

Kyle Seager portrait (2018), 'Weirdo'

Weirdo also painted a portrait of 3rd baseman Kyle Seager during Mariners Care Charity Night in June 2018 that sold for a final bid of $2,600.

New Statue at T-Mobile Park (2021)

Then we walked to T-Mobile Park and took plenty of pictures of the new statue of slugger and Baseball HOFer Martinez, sculpted by Chicago-based artist Lou Cella,  and just down the street from his Ken Griffey Jr. statue.

Ken Griffey Jr. Statue (2017)

Dave Niehaus Statue (2011), Lou Cella

Cella is also the artist responsible for the tribute to late sportscaster, Dave Niehaus that sits inside the ballpark. Fans can sit next to Dave for a photo op and take home a great souvenir of their ballpark experience.

The Mitt (1999), Gerry Tsutakawa

On the left field (north) side of T-Mobile Park (once Safeco Field) is The Mitt, a bronze sculpture by Gerry Tsutakawa, son of local fountain artist George Tsutakawa. It's a great example of positive-negative space with its cutout representing the baseball.

The Ascent (1950), George Tsutakawa

While at SAM the morning of the baseball game we spotted two of George Tsutakawa's early paintings. Though known for his sculptures, George Tsutakawa was initially trained as a painter. Here, in these two paintings, he combines Japanese calligraphy with American Modernism. 

The Descent (1950), G. Tsutakawa

I am always pleased to find such gems on my visits to the art museum. The compositions are very much the same, like many abstract works often are, although more representational than most. I like the color scheme and his playful use of line. Diagonal lines create the switchbacks characteristic of mountain trails. The smaller details are reminiscent of embellishments that Joan Miró would have added to his paintings.