• Number: 0029
• Artist: Love, Jim (1927 - )
• Title: Call Ernie
• Date: 1985
• Type: Sculpture
• Medium: Paint on Steel
• Dimensions: 10' x 29' x 19'
• Foundry/Fabricator: Artist
• Location/Environment: Hobby Airport, Outdoors
• Provenance: Given to the City of Houston by Southwest Airlines

Historical Background

Artist
Call Ernie was created by Jim Love. Love stated that,” This is meant to be a machine with human like qualities. It is an oil-well pump jack that has developed expanded horizons (airplane).” He also explained that the title is derived from a man named Ernie who he could call on for a job well done.

Physical Description
This sculpture is a smooth, blue painted monoplane with its tail resting on a circular base. A semi-circle of tubular steel rising out of the back represents the cockpit of an airplane and the nose of the plane represents an oil-well pump jack. The sculpture is located between the front of the parking garage and the terminal building of William P. Hobby Airport. The plane is sited on a concrete base.

The plaque on the base reads as follows:

“Call Ernie / Steel / 1985 / Donated With Love to / The People of Houston / By Southwest Airlines / Artist / Jim Love”