For Jane DeDecker, a commission to create a work about family life was a comfortable fit immediately. The sculptor is known for her bronzes depicting the strength of the family. Her own family plays a prominent role in not only her personal but also her professional life.

In Through the Shelter of Love, DeDecker portrays a family of six playing a game of London Bridge.  “The parents are protective and their arms enclose the children, creating a nest or shelter for them,” DeDecker explains. “At the same time they give children the freedom to play, grow, and become parents themselves.” For DeDecker the game is a metaphor for the traditions and values that parents pass down to their children, including everything from childhood games to feelings of security.