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Downtown Phoenix Sculpture Gets Revamped

"Her Secret Is Patience" has been a memorable piece of public art in Phoenix since 2009. Because of the wind and sun, it requires repairs every five or so years.
Photo courtesy of the City of Phoenix
"Her Secret Is Patience" has been a memorable piece of public art in Phoenix since 2009. Because of the wind and sun, it requires repairs every five or so years.

It’s hard to describe the award-winning piece, made up of concentric circles and billowing netting, by artist Janet Echelman. But its official name is “Her Secret is Patience.”

And this week, it’s getting new nets, as well as replacement lamps and filters — after five years of being worn down by the elements.

Gregg Bach is a spokesperson for the city of Phoenix, who said these replacements have been planned ever since the sculpture was first installed.  

"This net that they’re putting up here over the next couple days has been in storage since 2009, when we put the first one up — just waiting for this purpose," Bach said. "And there’s going to be another net created as well, too, which will be in storage as well for when we need to do this again here in another five, six years."

The polyester net weighs about 750 pounds, all of which will be recycled. The improvements should be installed by Wednesday. 

Stina Sieg was a senior field correspondent at KJZZ from 2013 to 2018.