You’ve probably seen one of these Salvador Dali-meets-Dr. Seuss installations poking out somewhere around town: Most made out of sticks, tree trunks, bamboo shoots, and gobs of paint, they’re the work of Lee Littlefield, who died of complications from lung cancer at his Houston home yesterday. This “pop-up,” as the sculptures came to be known, can be seen on the north side of westbound I-10. It’s just across all those lanes from a periscope-like pink one that seems to be straining to get a peak of the polo grounds at Memorial Park:
***
Do you see it?
Below: Taken by Robert Boyd, this photo shows another “pop-up” — this one at Littlefield’s home in Independence Heights:
- Lee Littlefield, Houston Sculptor and “Pop-Up†Artist, Has Died [Glasstire]
- Mysterious North Houston Art Colony Discovered [The Great God Pan is Dead]
Photos: Robert Boyd (yard); Allyn West (freeway)
So sad. I love looking at his sculptures perched in the trees around the CAM.
I always enjoyed driving and seeing his work in various and changing locations. Always a pleasant visual suprise. He will be missed by me and many other commuters. I hope there will be an effort to collect what is left and place in a single location where it will be maintained.
RIP, Lee. We will miss you.
That’s too bad. I always smile when I travel past the ones at I-10 and 610. Helps when you are stuck in traffic.
Man, that’s one bright ray of sunshine gone from the world.
A great loss for Houston.
We will miss Lee, and do our best to maintain his art legacy. He was a talented artist and a great friend.
Dad,i miss you so much, you were and still are my greatest hero ,Dad i know you are at peace now…. through your departure i have learned to love life more and not to worry about little things i will see you again my father and friend …..your loving son Dana
He was my art teacher at Edison Middle School. RIP Mr. Littlefield.
DAD YOU WILL BE MISSED BY YOUR 4 SONS AND 1 DAUGHTER AND WIFE LIZA THE TIME I MISSED WITH YOU IS PRICELESS YOUR ART IS AMAZING THERE WILL NOT BE A DAY THAT GOES BY WITH OUT ME THINKING OF YOU. LOVE YOU FOR EVER YOUR SON R.I.P DAD
Lee Littlefield was tireless in his many creative endeavors, sporting a boundless curiosity blended with a stellar work ethic. The Houston area remains visually more aware and culturally richer for his having spent his time the way that he chose on this mortal coil. Art is selection but it can also be caprice. No one understood that better than Lee Littlefield. He will be missed but never forgotten.