Commissioned by MTA Arts & Design for the Metro-North Peekskill Station, 2012 Photo: Ken Shung

Inspired by the natural beauty of the station, Jan Peek's Vine recreates local indigenous bindweed plants as imaginative structures that morph from rigid girders into flowing, soaring leaves and flowers.

Jan Peeck's Vine begins with a pair of painted steel sculptures on the southbound platform that echo the historic elements of the existing station and free them to run riot in a flowing, whimsical overhead design. From their bases, they grow to the canopy roof surrounding two supporting columns in a zig zag pattern replicating the lacing of the northbound historic canopy. As they climb up the columns, they begin to curve and twine, transforming into vines. Their stylized forms twist around the uprights, finally breaking free into an organic design that fills the space above the entry.

The vines proceed from each side in a roughly symmetrical pattern, meeting over the stairs like a huge vine-covered arbor welcoming visitors to a vast local garden. Elements of this sculpture are repeated in the two Peekskill monograms atop the elevator entrances and in railing inserts on the historic northbound platform. The vivid colors and repeating shapes provide a modern, stylized take on historic elements of the station and surrounding architecture. Depicting also the flowering of the contemporary arts in this historic city, Jan Peeck's Vine welcomes commuters to their historic station.