Sentinel Grove: The Genesis

Maxwell Emcays

Chicago, Illinois

Step into a landscape where the void first fractured into a conscious form. At the threshold stands Atna, a 10-foot low-poly colossus mask whose jagged, aluminum facets represent the raw, tectonic energy of a consciously awakening world. Even in stillness, the structure feels alive; integrated RGB LED flood lights cast a soft, rhythmic "fluttering" cycle of warm and cool whites. This subtle shifting of light creates the illusion of a slow, primordial breath, suggesting that the stone itself is a living guardian waiting to emerge from the silence of the early earth. Deeper within the grove stand Fyuh and Tindl, slender and towering low poly guardians that emit their own unique ambient glow that ripples across the sharp geometric planes.

Inside the Installation

Materials: Plasma-cut aluminum, Addressable RGB LED fixtures

  1. The artist used 3D printing as a critical tool to get a sense of the artwork's dimensionality and presence.

  2. The patterns are a critical aspect of the creative process.

  3. The artist learns something new with every art piece.

  4. Afro-funk plays in the studio while the artist is fabricating work.

  5. Color-changing LED lights create mood in the studio while the artist creates.

Artist Bio

Maxwell Emcays

Maxwell Emcays is a Chicago-based artist and fabricator with 15 years of experience creating landmark public art. His practice centers on the belief that public spaces should foster healing, remembrance, and social equity. As the founder of “Never Forget Chicago,” Emcays employs community-led processes, using large-scale installations to catalyze dialogue and collective memory.

Specializing in digital-to-physical fabrication, Emcays uses 3D modeling, CNC technology, and durable materials like bronze and laser-cut aluminum to transform complex narratives into permanent structures. His work highlights suppressed histories, humanizing the experiences of underrepresented communities through site-specific art.

A prequalified public artist for the City of Chicago, Emcays has successfully delivered commissions for municipal and private stakeholders, maintaining a rigorous focus on budgets, structural engineering, and site sensitivity. His work, recognized with the Black Excellence Award and exhibited at institutions such as the DuSable Museum, reflects a deep commitment to collaboration. By partnering with architects, engineers, and local residents, he ensures each piece remains a resilient, low-maintenance civic asset that honors its unique cultural environment.

< Previous Installation Next Installation >
Back to Map