INSIDE ON CAMPUS

New Barbara Jordan statue designs unveiled, artist set to be chosen by summer

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Barbara Jordan

Four new maquettes for the bronze statue of the late civil rights champion, U.S. Rep. Barbara Jordan, were unveiled on April 12 for public viewing and comment.

The statue was originally scheduled to be unveiled in April but after public feedback from the first round of maquettes in October 2005, the Barbara Jordan Statue Project Committee decided to start over.

“We had four fabulous maquettes last time but the public feedback we received was that they didn’t capture the power, the presence of Barbara Jordan,” said Associate Dean of Student Sherri Sanders.

A second national “call for artists” was announced in October 2006 and a committee coordinated by the Texas Commission on the Arts chose four new artists from a pool of 83 applicants.

The four semi-finalists are David Frech of Beacon, N.Y.; Thomas Marsh of Orange, Va.; David Newton of Dallas; and Bruce Wolfe of Piedmont, Calif.
The artists will be visiting campus the week of April 30 to be interviewed by committee members and Sanders said a recommendation would be made to President William Powers Jr. prior to commencement.

“We are hoping to have a final decision by summer,” Sanders said.

The artist will need at least a year to create the statue and based on this timeline Sanders expects the statue to be unveiled in late fall 2008 or spring 2009.

The idea to erect a statue of Jordan emerged from discussions held among members of the fall 2002 Orange Jackets’ tappee class about the need for a female statue on campus. Ethnic and gender diversity representation in statues and other works displayed on campus has been discussed for many years. Out of these discussions, students took the initiative to make a change in 2003 by passing a campus-wide referendum mandating that $1 per student per semester and summer session be collected to fund the creation of a bronze statue of Jordan to be placed at Battle Oaks.

David Frech
“In this maquette I’ve sought to manifest the many qualities and attributes of Barbara Jordan; a woman of keen intellect, moral integrity and eloquence. The composition is literal in its likeness but symbolic in its design. Believing that this monument should capture more than her likeness, it should capture her spirit, her values and how she approached life. She holds in her right hand a book and the united colors of our flag; the pairing of the two contributes to the significance of each. Her presence is meant to be commanding yet not threatening. The gesture of speech is both active and inclusive. She speaks to us but also welcomes us to the discussion. My intent has been to make her voice and her message visible. My aim has been to design a monument that would serve the memory of Barbara Jordan and celebrate her life of service to the country, community and to us - her students.”

Thomas Marsh
“This portrait sculpture of Barbara Jordan would stand six feet high at full scale in bronze, which is slightly larger than life. The sculpture concept contacts four elements: the figure, a “virtual lectern,” a cane and a bronze base. The figure of Barbara Jordan shows her in an age range of approximately 40 to 50 years. Her facial expressions are subtle and varied, depending on the viewer’s vantage point. The “virtual lectern” stands for the “worlds unseen” - the life of the mind and spirit. It calls to mind Jordan’s roles as inspirational teacher and orator. Barbara Jordan’s medical condition, a disability which she transcended, is represented by a cane, which she has placed on the ground. The bronze base serves to unify the bronze ensemble as it transitions outward to the architectural paving elements. It is my hope that this sculptural-architectural plaza will serve to inspire future generations, teaching them about Barbara Jordan, and thus allowing her to continue to teach them.”

David Newton
“Creating a sculpture of Barbara Jordan presents a sculptor with a unique opportunity and challenge to personify a genuinely heroic person whose ground-breaking accomplishments in government, academic and civil rights have inspired many people, both young and old, to pursue a life of ethical public leadership. Jordan’s great oratory and debating skills are legendary and have made her an internationally respected leader. Jordan’s determination and spirit in the face of her physical limitation, along with her gender and race, has also inspired many to overcome even the most formidable personal obstacles to live productive lives while pursing their dreams with honor and dignity. These are the traits that I have attempted to capture in this sculpture of Barbara Jordan.”

Bruce Wolfe
“This is Barbara Jordan at her best. She looks confident and serene. She is well dressed, as usual. She is at the height of her career. I think this is how she personally would like to be remembered. Looking at this image, we are reminded of her strong persona and brilliant mind. She was tough with a soft edge. She walked the walk and talked the talk. She had a good sense of humor. She played hardball with the big boys. I think the sculpture can remind people of Barbara the woman, but the combination of the sculpture and the quotes can act as an inspiration for individuals for years to come. She stood as a powerful inspiration and role model for people of all ages and background. Reading her thoughts while viewing the sculpture can give the greatest insight to the person that was Barbara Jordan. In the years to come, the combination of the words and visual will remind people of her integrity and her legacy as an educator, a role she most cherished.”

A visitor views David Frech's statue design of Barbara Jordan. (Photo credit: Christina S. Murrey)

Thomas Marsh's statue design. (Photo credit: Christina S. Murrey)

David Frech's statue design. (Photo credit: Christina S. Murrey)

Visitors view Bruce Wolfe's statue design. (Photo credit: Christina S. Murrey)

UT Personnel assemble stand to display statue. (Photo credit: Christina S. Murrey)

Visitors view David Newton's statue design. (Photo credit: Christina S. Murrey)

Barbara Jordan statue designs unveiled

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