Public Art at Kindred

I build sculptures in forms inspired by nature out of urbane objects. Colossal waves out of canoes, fireballs out of aluminum ladders, tornadoes out of bicycles. The elements in the structure swirl about a center and lean forward. The materials are recognizable from daily life: extension ladders, car windows, aluminum row boats. These materials are gathered in multiples and welded into iconic forms: a fireball, a tornado, a wave, an animal. The installations are thematic based on the site and it’s history: a fireball of decommissioned fire ladders for a fire station, trees out of skate decks for a skateboard park, a wave of recycled pipe for a water treatment plant. The placing of the elements in the array is inspired by nature: schooling fish or branches on a tree. I build interactive installations that the viewer can walk through or sit on to encourage investigation. This investigation reveals that these objects had a former life. A beat up canoe at the end of its life cycle makes a powerful object to remind the viewer of their time on the river.

Watch the full video here.

Hello, my name is Volkan Alkanoglu, and I am an artist and designer working at the intersection of public art, community engagement, and emerging technologies. My work is rooted in creating bold, sculptural forms that serve as places to gather, reflect, and connect - physically, emotionally, and culturally.

Over the last decade, I have focused almost entirely on public art, on transforming everyday spaces into places of meaning, memory, and imagination.

My artworks are often described as futuristic, colorful, and in motion—but they are also grounded in community. I have completed permanent public art installations across the U.S., including a pavilion at the Durham County Library in North Carolina, play-based sculptural work in Fort Lauderdale Airport and a series of projects for the University of Washington in Seattle. These projects are not just visual landmarks, they are points of pride, made in collaboration with the people who live there.

My philosophy is simple: public art should be for the public. I believe that every project begins with listening. Whether I am working with children, educators, elders, or city staff, I design experiences that reflect shared values, local history, and future aspirations. I see art as a platform for storytelling, for healing, for joy, and transformation.

That is why I am so inspired by this project in Norfolk. This is not just redevelopment, this is a cultural reimagining. The city and the community are building a new neighborhood that is inclusive, equitable, and forward-thinking, without erasing the past. The commitment to People First deeply resonates with me, especially as someone whose own work focuses on dignity, access, and engagement.

The opportunity to create artwork here is incredibly meaningful. I see public art not just as an aesthetic gesture, but as a civic act, a way to express the emotions and resilience of the community, to mark the transition from one era to the next, and to make visible stories that might otherwise go unheard.

As someone from a multicultural background myself, I understand how complex identity and place can be. I approach every project with empathy, curiosity, and a commitment to co-creating with the people who live there.

I would be honored to bring my experience, my design sensibility, and my dedication to community into this next chapter for Norfolk. Thank you for considering me as part of this incredible, transformative initiative.

Watch the full video here.

I think of my artworks as charged with their own energy—alive, and engaged with the people and environments around them. My aim is to uplift and inspire, creating work that integrates into the visual landscape as a strong focal point while respecting the character of its surroundings. I believe public art should reflect a sense of place and the spirit of the people who call that area home.

My preferred medium for public art is mosaics. The wide variety of colors and textures allows for the creation of a rich multisensory experience.

This art is dedicated to the community that created a beautiful place, worth much more than what can be expressed in investment dollars. A place rising above some of the most adverse conditions in the area. 

Paying diligent attention to the form of art and the treatment of the artistic material, Zachary Robinson will summarize the community’s story into a tangible work of art.   

This public art culmination of teamwork between the artist and the hometown heroes of the area; we endeavor to create public art that conveys a story that needs to be shared.  

Watch the full video here.