Leap

Springing forward with outstretched legs, a winged frog leaves an unfolded book atop a 2 ft. bronze statue in front of the Pleasanton Main Library.    With flight raised above open pages of castles and wonderment, the frog leaps into the unknown leaving bulrushes for possibility.  Tumbled books frame the springboard foundation with book spines forming geometrical architecture defying gravity. The books are a collection of children’s classics. The flight is uncertain.

Sculpturer Yoshio Taylor came to the United States from Japan, bringing his childhood memories and his love of narrative expression. The Japanese word for frog is ‘Kaeru’ meaning ‘return’ and symbolizes transition and safe travel. Yoshio’s artistic journey was from Japan to the University of California Berkeley where he received a Master’s in Fine Arts while studying Abstract Expressionism in ceramic sculptures under Peter Voulkos.

Yoshio has worked in clay for over thirty years.  The bronze Leap is unique to his work. He is an art professor at Cosumnes River College and has created public art for Sacramento, Walnut Creek, and The Rising Blue for Dublin, California.  

Sculpturer Yoshio Taylor’s 2001 Leap was privately funded by friends and family to honor the memory of 16-year City of Pleasanton Councilman Walt Wood. Wood’s vision of possibility greatly contributed to the renovation of the Amador Theater by inspiring the $100 donations for named seats.

Leap invites the imagination of all who enter the Pleasanton Library at 400 Old Bernal Ave.  Take a leap! Get involved! Discover what is possible.

Jan Coleman-Knight