Wisdom

Larry Kirkland uses the owl, a traditional symbol of wisdom, to identify the building as a place of information, knowledge, and learning. In ancient Greek mythology, Athena, Goddess of Wisdom, was the daughter of Zeus. She was able to change form, often into an owl. This work was inspired by a barn owl sculpture created by Renaissance artist Michelangelo for the Medici Chapel in Florence, Italy. The golden key behind the owl incorporates the Greek letters for A and Z, referencing the beginning and the end, while the key itself unlocks the knowledge inside books.