Experience The BIG SHOT Antique Hypodermic Needle 21 Ft/Stainless Steel Sculpture

**Shotgun Studios Sculpture Garden located at 1625 W. Water Ave. Spokane, WA. 99201 in Peaceful Valley along the Centennial Trial on the south side of the Spokane River.**

ARTIST STATEMENT BY John Thamm. “I have come to view the hypodermic syringe as the Universal Symbol of the 21st Century. Capable of producing pain while alleviating pain.”

The concept grew from two sources: 1) the Covid-19 messaging of the past 4 years about vaccines and 2) the personal physical struggles that I have endured for the past 3 years with a rare blood cancer (Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia} requiring endless procedures using the hypodermic syringe.

This sculpture is a team effort by local Spokane artists and craftsmen.. The collaborators are: John Thamm, Jesse Swanson, Roch Fautch, John Pollack, Rick Davis, and Rodney Davis. Fabrication of the sculpture was done by the team at Carlson Sheet Metal led by Brian Fair.

I want to acknowledge the excellent care that I have received from the team at MultiCare Deaconess Cancer and Blood Services in Spokane under the leadership of Dr. Wittenkeller. At this time “ The Mission is Remission.”