The fantastic Rock Martinez mural on the west side of the Ranek-DeLorenzo home inspired us to ask him to create something for our own east wall.  Rock's artistry speaks for itself, for sure, and hardly requires explanation.  But there is a story that informed this particular design and we want to share it.

We opened the conversation with Rock around an object that we love, a mosaic tile table (pictured below) that was made by Tucson artist, Charles Clement, in 1957.  Entitled “Satori,” the table depicts a dove navigating the space and choice between peace and war.  We choose to believe that in a moment of satori (sudden enlightenment and intuition) the dove opted for the olive branch.

We shared a collection of photos of other—major—pieces by Clement, showing examples of his copper, cement, and mosaic tile public artworks that enhance and enliven numerous spots in Tucson.  We also shared some of the original drawings that won Clement commissions for those public art pieces.  We loved it that Rock remembered skateboarding as a kid on and around “Charlie's fountain” at the center of El Presidio Plaza downtown.    

With Rock's mural, we wanted to pay joyful homage to Charlie and his wife, Louise. Beginning with the image of the mosaic dove, Rock soared, expressing his take on various elements of Clement's drawings and illustrations. As we hoped, he captured the essence of Charlie's artistry giving well-deserved recognition and new life to the Clement legacy.  Satori at work…!

If you'd like to learn more about Clement's art, google Charles Clement, Tucson Artist, and view the video, “Legendary Artist Integrates Art, Architecture Throughout Tucson.” Or visit the UA Library's Special Collections department which has photos and news articles that tell his story.  But the best idea is to travel the city and see his work in person.  Clement's biography, below, lists the most significant pieces and their locations. Incidentally, our house was designed as “Mercado Modern” marrying, serendipitously, with Clement's work which spanned the middle of the last century.

Thank you to the Mercado design review committee for giving us a GO. And special thanks go to Ross and Suzanne Sheard who share the east wall with us and graciously gave immediate and wholehearted support to the project.

                                             Roger and Vera Pfeuffer

CHARLES CLEMENT

August 15, 1921 – July 15, 1981

Louise Clement

December 30, 1914 – February 27, 1974

     After growing up in New York City and studying at the Franklin School of Design, Charles Clement moved to Tucson in 1950 with his wife, Louise.  They loved the desert, so shortly after arriving they designed, built and lived in their home nestled in the Tucson Mountains.  Charles established himself as a versatile free-lance artist illustrating books, working as a muralist with both mosaics and ceramics, painting, creating metal work, tapestry and wallpaper.  

Much of Clement's work was done side-by-side with Louise. While their most important and prestigious commission was through a national competition for the Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln, Nebraska, Tucson is rich in examples of the Clements' work.  Tucson High Magnet School, the Tucson Hebrew Academy and the University of Arizona Eller School of Management buildings each house spectacular mosaic murals credited to both Charles and Louise.  Along with many other Clement artworks, each of these pieces is informed and enriched by their extensive research into history, architecture, and a broad array of the arts and sciences.  

Additional Tucson creations include the Mayan-inspired sculpture and fountain at the center of El Presidio Park, the cement entrance portico for the University of Arizona Administration Building, and exterior bas-relief sculptures for the Transamerica Title Building and the Thomas Davis Clinic.  The lobby of the Pima County Superior Court Building is the home for Clement's eight-panel copper repoussé mural depicting “The History of Western Law.”  Clement also designed and crafted the interior details for St. Francis de Sales Roman Catholic Church.  There are many other examples of Clement's work in the Tucson area, throughout Arizona, as well as in other parts of the country.

The first president of the Tucson Crafts Guild, Charles Clement was listed in Who's Who in the West and also served as president of the Arizona Designer Craftsmen Group.  He taught special workshops at Manhattan State University in Kansas and at Yavapai College in Prescott.  Clement also developed an arts program in which the inmates of the Arizona State Prison in Florence created permanent works for the prison.

Both Charles and Louise Clement were extraordinarily creative Tucsonans who contributed greatly to the artistic nature of our community.  The joy and richness of their spirits is reflected in their work and well-remembered by all who knew and could not help but love them.