Austin's Stickwork Sculptures

Yippee Ki Yay Stickwork Sculptures. andeelk (Atlas Obscura User)

Exploring this extraordinary, hands-on artwork is like being in a giant bird’s nest—or like a tornado and a flood came through and twisted the earth all together.

In fact, it is the Yippee Ki Yay sculpture in Austin’s Pease Park, designed by artist Patrick Dougherty in 2018. His stickwork creations were made with the help of some 200 volunteers who scavenged invasive species such as ligustrum, Roosevelt willow, and ash from around the city. Over 10 tons of saplings were brought in to build the five structures.

Commissioned by the Pease Park Conservancy, the site-specific installation was inspired by the surroundings, the city, and the people of Austin. The natural structures are expected to last about two years; when they begin to deteriorate, the remains will be taken down and used as mulch throughout the park.

Know Before You Go

The above address will get you to Pease Park, but Yippee Ki Yay Stickworks is located at the north end between Custer’s Meadow and Caswell Shoals. The easiest way to get there is to head south on Parkway (the west side of the park) off of W 24th St. There is a small parking lot near the structures. The installation is hard to miss. Feel free to roam around—inside, outside, over, under, through—it’s meant to be explored. Plus, there are lights inside the structures, so you can visit at any time of the day or night.