"The Phoenix" by Paul Coze
The Phoenix, a 75-foot-wide tryptich created by Arizona artist Paul Coze is an iconic city landmark. It was originally located on the west wall in the Terminal 2 lobby and has been relocated to its new home at the Phoenix Sky Harbor Rental Car Center.
See a media kit that gives more information on this mural and other artwork at the Rental Car Center and the adjacent PHX Sky Train® Station.
“The Phoenix” is believed to be the first piece of city-commissioned public art that was chosen through a public process. Artists were invited by the city in 1960 to submit art concepts for the new Terminal 2 that would be built and opened in 1962. They were put on display at the Phoenix Public Library, and citizens voted for their favorite design. Coze’s design was selected and his mural debuted when Terminal 2 opened.
The mural resided in Terminal 2 over the main hall. The mural had already been designated for relocation after the terminal closed and was decommissioned in early 2020. The mural was removed and stored beginning in from March 2021 before it was installed at the Rental Car Center in fall 2021.
Close-up detail of "The Phoenix."
From left: Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, Director of Aviation Services Chad Makovsky, Vice Mayor Carlos Garcia, Phoenix City Councilwoman Betty Guardado, Phoenix City Councilwoman Yassamin Ansari, and Terry Cole of Kiewit Construction.
The following pictures are from the removal from Terminal 2 and storage process of The Phoenix, which occurred earlier in 2021 before it was reinstalled at the Rental Car Center.
The 75-feet-wide, three-part mural is ready for removal.
A portion of Terminal 2's exterior wall has been removed, exposing the back of the mural. A steel support system is in place.
The left panel of the mural is freed from the supporting columns and pushed forward.
The left panel of the mural has been wrapped and lowered.
A mural panel is being stabilized with expandable foam.
The panel is lowered and pivoted onto the flatbed truck.
The panel is loaded on the flatbed trailer and is ready to transport.
Each 16-by-25-foot panel is transported at night.
The
mural panel safely stored on airport property.
Watch "The Phoenix Rises Again" to learn more about how the iconic mural was conceptualized, created and relocated nearly 60 years later: