Tampa airport is to celebrate “one of Florida’s most well-known birds”, with a 21-foot sculpture of a pink flamingo in its Main Terminal building.

Artist Matthew Mazzotta has designed HOME, a “floor-to-ceiling sculpture that depicts a hand-sculpted resin and fibreglass flamingo as it gently dips its head beneath the surface of the water”.

According to the airport “The immersive installation, located prominently near the Shoppes at Bayshore, transports viewers underwater, inviting them to walk up and share a simple moment in the life of one of Florida’s most well-known birds”.

The sculpture is one of seven new art commissions approved for the airport from 734 submissions, with others including a mixed media mural entitled Cloud Ascent, designed by London-based artist Jason Bruges, and a mural featuring a composition of local flora and fauna, by New York artist Jason Middlebrook.

Commenting on the news Robin Nigh, the City of Tampa’s Manager of Arts and Cultural Affairs, and a member of TPA’s Public Art Committee

“I think we will find that HOME is aptly named as it will evoke a sense of place for those that experience the artwork.

“The artwork should provide a visual respite; a sense of home for returning travellers and a sense of arrival for visitors. It is unique, quiet, beautiful, kitsch and fun all at once. HOME will carry the meaning of what individuals bring to it, very much like one’s ‘real’ home.”

The HOME sculpture will be just a shade smaller than the Lamp Bear at Doha’s Hamad International airport, which sits 23-foot tall.

Other US airports to feature art installations on this scale include Sacramento International with its 56-foot long red rabbit, and Denver International with its 32-foot Mustang horse sculpture.

tampaairport.com