‘Bird in Hand’ Abstract Metal Sculptures in Green Brook Strip Mall Plaza

By Nick Clemente

If you’re driving down Route 22 in Green Brook, New Jersey, you might notice a hand approximately 10 feet high waving at you. Don’t worry, you’re not seeing things. I drive by Arthur’s Plaza Strip Mall in Green Brook a few times a week and started to notice this mysterious hand sometime late last year, so I decided to investigate. Past the Dollar Tree and Duck Donuts in the far end of the parking lot by Bone Fish Grill stands a large metal hand sculpture that has been weathered to an almost wood type appearance. A small trail of bird footprints are found on the metal base and a large red metal cardinal is perched on its pointer finger, like a cherry on an ice-cream sundae. After examining the piece, I found the artist’s signature and date of creation written on its side in the metal: Dale Rogers 2017.
Dale Rogers is a metal sculptor from Massachusetts. According to his website: Dale is proud to have his sculptures displayed in private collections in 49 states, Puerto Rico, and Canada. In addition to these private acquisitions, he is actively expanding his reach into the public realm. He has always believed that art should be accessible to the public and should be an integral part of our everyday surroundings. “It is important to add art to the landscape of public venues. Art triggers the imagination of its observers, encourages them to view the world differently, and stimulates conversation. It adds an extra layer for the public to connect with at any park, office building, common area or trail,” stated Dale on his site.
I found a sculpture similar to the one in Green Brook in his catalog of work under the name “Bird in Hand.” The one in the catalog is just like the one in Green Brook except it has two cardinals, one on the pointer finger and another in the palm of the hand. Out of curiosity, I went back to see the “Bird in Hand” in Green Brook and checked for a hole where a second cardinal would be located, and there was in fact a hole. I also found a second version of “Bird in Hand” in his catalog that has two crows instead of cardinals. If the Green Brook piece follows the name and there should be a bird in hand, then the bird in hand is missing. So, I wrote to Dale Rogers and asked if the Green Brook version was a one-cardinal version or perhaps the piece had been vandalized. As of the time I submitted this article, in I have not heard back from Dale. Nonetheless, this sculpture adds a nice touch of culture to a mundane drive home. If you’re driving by the strip mall on Route 22 in Green Brook and see a huge hand waving hello, don’t just drive by, stop, and take a look.
For more information on Dale Rogers, visit: dalerogersstudio.com
Photos by Nick Clemente

(above) Abstract Metal Sculptures by Dale Rogers.