Heartfullness
-PAST DISPLAY-
Artist: Katy Boynton
Location: Downtown San Francisco. At the intersection of Market and Turk Streets
see map
Partners: Sijbrandij Foundation, Building 180, Mid Market Foundation, Katy Boynton
Photography by @alysepanitzphotography
Heartfullness is a steel sculpture that embodies the strength and resilience of the human spirit, presented through the powerful metaphor of a mended heart. This artwork speaks to the beauty found in imperfection and the profound ways in which life’s scars—both physical and emotional—tell stories of survival, healing, and growth. The rusted metallic surface reflects the weathering of life's challenges, while the illuminated cracks at night transform into radiant pathways, symbolizing how embracing adversity can ignite our inner light and allow it to shine outward. Surrounding the sculpture, the deck provides a space for gathering, encouraging people to come together in a shared experience of resilience and transformation.
Placing "Heartfullness" on Market Street in San Francisco is particularly meaningful. The street, much like the heart depicted in the sculpture, is undergoing a transformation—a revitalization after a period of decline. Just as the heart has been stitched back together to shine anew, Market Street too is in need of renewal, reconnecting the community and bringing fresh life to a once bustling thoroughfare. This sculpture serves as a poignant symbol of hope, resilience, and the collective spirit needed to embrace change and emerge stronger.
About the Artist
Katy Boynton is a Bay Area artist who specializes in large scale metal sculpture. Her work has been displayed at events and festivals such as Burning Man, Life is Beautiful, Bottle Rock, Sunset Electronic Picnic, and Ghostship SF, as well as public placements in the cities of San Francisco, Fremont, and Las Vegas.
Her first sculpture Heartfullness, a steel sculpture of a mended heart, debuted at Burning Man in 2012. Her experience during this build was documented as part of the film Spark: A Burning Man Story. In 2018, she created a second Heartfullness sculpture specifically for Las Vegas and intended to be a symbol of healing for the community after the 2017 shooting. Most recently, Katy was awarded 67,000 lbs of steel from the original eastern span of the Bay Bridge for use in Pier into the Past, a series of sculptures, auto barriers, and way-finding towers to be installed for Hornblower Yachts on Pier 3 in San Francisco. She is currently working on Winged Life, a sculpture of a butterfly for Burning Man 2022. In addition to her own projects, Katy has been an artistic contributor and project lead for Marco Cochrane since 2010, working on The Bliss Project, One, and Gaia.
