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Patrick Ploude, artist
A new work of public art now has a home on the grounds of the Blaine House.
Governor Janet Mills, The Friends of the Blaine House, the Blaine House Commission and the Maine Arts Commission, today celebrated the installation and unveiling of Maine artist Patrick Plourde’s Pinecone Pair with Tassel on the south lawn of the Governor’s residence in Augusta.
The large-scale sculpture transforms reclaimed hand tools, including shovels once used by farmers, builders and communities, into two monumental pinecones, representing the Maine state flower. The artwork connects Maine’s natural landscape with generations of labor, ingenuity and resourcefulness.
The sculpture was selected through a statewide open call and multi-phase review process led by the Maine Arts Commission. More than 30 artists submitted work for consideration, with Plourde’s proposal ultimately selected for its connection to Maine and its thoughtful relationship with the historic site. The sculpture was acquired entirely through funds raised by and through the Friends of the Blaine House. The Maine Arts Commission led the artist selection process but was not involved in fundraising or funding the acquisition. No public funds were used to purchase the artwork.
“I thank the Friends of the Blaine House and the Maine Arts Commission for their work to secure this beautiful sculpture of Maine’s most iconic flower. Patrick’s work — made from hand tools once used by Maine people — is a wonderful tribute to the men and women who built this state and have sustained it for generations,” said Governor Janet Mills.
Pinecone imagery can already be found throughout the Blaine House property, including within the residence and in decorative elements of the surrounding fencing. Plourde’s sculpture builds on that visual language while introducing a contemporary work of art to the historic grounds.
The white pinecone is closely tied to Maine’s identity. The pinecone and tassel of the eastern white pine were designated as Maine’s floral emblem in 1895, while the eastern white pine is the state tree. Plourde’s interpretation brings that familiar form together with materials bearing the marks of Maine’s working history.
“Governor Mills’ commitment to the arts makes projects like this possible. Patrick Plourde’s Pinecone Pair with Tassel is a fitting symbol for the Blaine House, connecting Maine’s natural and working history with the creativity, ingenuity, and community spirit of the people who call Maine home,” said Amy Hausmann, Executive Director of the Maine Arts Commission.
The sculpture’s weathered steel surface will continue to evolve, developing a natural patina as it responds to Maine’s seasons and settles into the surrounding landscape.
The installation introduces contemporary public art into conversation with one of Maine’s most significant civic spaces. The historic 1833 Blaine House and its Olmsted Brothers-designed landscape sit directly across from the Maine State House, creating a setting where Maine’s history, government, landscape and culture intersect.
