Isaac Caruso - Oregon Standpipes

 Tempe

Isaac Caruso - Oregon Standpipes

1405 S College Ave, Tempe

Part of the function of public art is to help beautify a neighborhood.  Isaac Caruso’s Oregon Standpipes does just that.  Located in a pleasant Tempe neighborhood, this piece has taken a gray concrete pipe and given it the beautiful colors of the desert, with dancing cactuses full of movement and joy.  The sharp spines of the cactus can often turn a beautiful cactus into potential pain.  But in Caruso’s treatment, the spines look more like a five-o’clock shadow, almost petable - certainly not off putting in any way.  This adds to the uplifting feel of the piece.  Set right along a small drainage ditch, Oregon Standpipes takes what could be a blight in the neighborhood and turns it into a point of pride.

Caruso is a Phoenix native who has murals located throughout the Valley.  In his artist statement he says:

 I make public art to communicate with communities and help give them a visual identity. . .Either for the sake of place making, entertaining, [or] enhancing the urban landscape I try to make my world better through public art, for the enjoyment of everyone I share it with.

Caruso has remained true to his vision with Oregon Standpipes.  A delightful surprise as one travels the streets of Tempe.

Check out more of Caruso’s work at his website.  

Last verified 12/2020.