London-based French artist takes over XNA Airport with a bold, large-scale installation visible from the sky
BENTONVILLE, Ark. (August 18, 2022) – Today, XNA Airport reveals the “Ice and a Slice” installation by Camille Walala is now complete, covering the exterior of side-by-side service buildings on Regional Avenue.
Taking its title from a classic line that British air hostesses would repeat to travelers on board when offering them a drink, “Would you like ice and a slice of lemon in your drink?” The installation, produced by OZ Art NWA and curated by Justkids in partnership with XNA Airport, makes an unforgettable first impression both from the sky and on the ground.
“It has been exciting to watch the installation unfold over the past two months. Our goal was to signal the vibrance of Northwest Arkansas’ culture and community through a welcoming piece of public art,” remarked Olivia Walton, who leads the vision for OZ Art NWA. “Ice and a Slice gives visitors a taste of the energy here, and an impression of the art experiences that are part of everyday life in NWA”
The striking installation is reflected inside the airport terminal as well, greeting flyers through a lounge space designed by the artist. The interior installation was created to give visitors an opportunity to get close to, and get a close-up with, the artist’s work.
“This new collaboration with Oz Art was such a huge undertaking. The scale of the two XNA’s buildings is massive and the lounge installation was created and built completely from scratch. This is a dream project for an artist like Camille who has the incredible talent to breathe new life to architecture and to create welcoming spaces. With “Ice and a Slice” she was able not only to revamp and improve but also to create a shared experience combining public art and fun for Northwest Arkansas visitors and locals,” expressed Justkids founder and curator Charlotte Dutoit.
The lounge, central to all gates and visible from XNA’s security checkpoint, consists of furniture that mirrors the brilliant color scheme and bold patterns of the outdoor work. Travelers arriving and departing Northwest Arkansas have a new opportunity to take a moment of relaxation amid travel stress.
“Walala’s work will continue to spark joy and celebrate creativity in the Northwest Arkansas community at an entry point to Bentonville’s robust art culture,” Walton continued. “Inspiration and connection are at the heart of OZ Art NWA’s work, enlivening the region through art, and Camille’s work helps us to further our mission of making art part of everyday life.”
Ice and a Slice installation began on May 9 with a group of local painters executing the work.
Media kit available here.
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About Camille Walala
Camille Walala (b.1975) is a multidisciplinary London-based French artist working across the fields of art, architecture, textile art and graphic design. Her practice has taken her all over the world to transform homes and workspaces with her signature tribal-pop style. Drawing on influences including the Memphis Movement, the Ndebele tribe, and op-art master Victor Vasarely, Walala has an irrepressible enthusiasm for playful, graphic patterns that invoke a smile in all who view them.
As purveyor of positivity, expressed through vibrant colors and bold patterns, Walala now focuses on projects with greater scope and at a greater scale than ever before, with an overriding ambition to imbue the world’s urban landscapes with eye-popping installations full of soul-stirring energy.
About Justkids
Justkids is an awarded women-led art platform with over 9 years of experience specializing in the curation and production of public art, collaborating closely with organizations, brands, and institutions. With a strong international network of leading contemporary artists and creative teams, Justkids offers wide-ranging art experiences that engage diverse audiences and communities to drive visual culture and create unforgettable moments that celebrate art.
About Oz Art NWA
OZ Art NWA makes art part of everyday life by bringing together an incredible network of museum-worthy art, artists, events and experiences in unexpected places across Northwest Arkansas. Founded in 2017 to provide accessible, diverse contemporary art encounters, OZ Art NWA supports the regional arts scene both by collaborating with local arts organizations and by showing its collection in a variety of public locations throughout Bentonville and beyond. The Collection includes more than 400 works spanning a variety of media and forms, including murals, outdoor installations, sculptures, paintings and drawings that highlight important issues such as diversity, gender equality and racial equity.
About XNA Airport
Only one of two Airport Authorities in the state of Arkansas, XNA Airport keeps pace with the growing demands of the NW Arkansas thriving economy and passenger traffic by providing increased passenger destinations and expanded customer service — what the citizens and visitors to NW Arkansas have come to expect and deserve. NW Arkansas’ dynamic economy, coupled with strong air carrier partners’ responses to demand, combine to make the Northwest Arkansas National Airport the most eXciting New Airport in the country. The airport opened for commercial passenger business on November 1, 1998.
