October 29, 2015 – A bronze and limestone sculpture titled Ruins III (left), that had been on the Chicago Riverwalk for at least four years, lived up to its name and was taken down this year after repeated vandalism.

According to a spokesperson for Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events, the sculpture “will be restored and placed in a more secure location yet to be determined.”

It has been replaced by Allium (right), created by Chicago artist Carolyn Ottmers in 2004.

“My sculptures often reflect my genuine interest in and love of nature and its processes, which includes our intervention,” says Ottmers. “The recurrent use of multiples reflects a combined interest in the variation and diversity of nature as well as the industrial production of objects.”

Ruins III was created in 1978 by Peoria artist Nita Sunderland, now 88 years old, who is professor emeritus of art at Bradley University. Inspired by her travels through Italy and England, the figures, which were occasionally toppled, reflected Sunderland’s interest in parallels between medieval and contemporary society. Before moving to the Riverwalk, the sculpture was located on the northeast corner of Clark Street and Jackson Boulevard.

(Click on images to view larger versions.)