Evelyn Rydz Connects through Hands for “Holding Water” in Nature Sanctuary Exhibit at deCordova Sculpture Park

Translucent hands represent the individuals who share their statements about water and connect them with the environment, including visitors to this sculpture above the reservoir. Quotes and resources here should help convey the process, purpose, and power of Evelyn Rydz’s sculpture in the Nature Sanctuary exhibit.

“Holding Water,” 2025. Cast glass, steel, concrete, field stones

“Cupped hands, in gradient shades of blue glass, cascade in a formation that suggests flowing water into this oversized vessel. Evelyn Rydz cast the hands of local environmental caretakers and those who have a special connection to water, including Flint’s Pond, the body of water in view at deCordova. Flint’s Pond is a protected reservoir and provides drinking water to residents of Lincoln.” (quote from“Holding Water” Evelyn Rydz at deCordova Trustees. )

 ”The glass hands are positioned in relationship to each other to suggest a passing of responsibility and knowledge across generations and among communities. The varying shades of blue of the glass and vessel are inspired by Rydz’s many photographs of the nearby water, which is constantly changing due to climate shifts, light, and time of year.” (quote from“Holding Water” Evelyn Rydz at deCordova Trustees. )

“Water is a living being. It holds emotions, it holds memory. Literally and metaphorically, spiritually. To think about how much of the world, how much we are water, physically as a planet and also as human beings, how much we are water and how much we rely on water— you can’t have one without the other. I think that water is life.”( quote from Alicia Truthseeker Mitchell, Troy/Watuppa Indian )

“Evelyn Rydz works across drawing, site-responsive installations, and community projects to reimagine our relationships with the natural world and with each other. Her practice explores connections between bodies of water, circulation, and personal histories within shifting natural and cultural ecosystems.” ( quote from Evelyn Rydz website)