Frank O'Bannon (bust)

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Frank O'Bannon Bust
Statehouse 002.jpg
ArtistKenneth G. Ryden
Year2005 (2005)
TypeBronze
Dimensions91 cm× 43 cm× 24 cm(36 in× 17 in× 9.5 in)
LocationIndiana Statehouse, Indianapolis, Indiana
OwnerState of Indiana

Frank O'Bannon is a public artwork by American artist Kenneth G. Ryden, located in the Indiana Statehouse rotunda in Indianapolis, Indiana. The 700 pound [1] bronze bust was commissioned by the state [2] to honor the memory of Indiana's 47th Governor, [3] Frank O'Bannon. The piece was cast at the Anderson University Art Foundry in 2005 [4] and presented to the state in February 2006. [5]

United States Federal republic in North America

The United States of America (USA), commonly known as the United States or America, is a country comprising 50 states, a federal district, five major self-governing territories, and various possessions. At 3.8 million square miles, the United States is the world's third or fourth largest country by total area and is slightly smaller than the entire continent of Europe's 3.9 million square miles. With a population of over 327 million people, the U.S. is the third most populous country. The capital is Washington, D.C., and the most populous city is New York City. Most of the country is located contiguously in North America between Canada and Mexico.

Indiana Statehouse State capitol building of the U.S. state of Indiana

The Indiana State House is the state capitol building of the U.S. state of Indiana. Housing the Indiana General Assembly, the office of the Governor of Indiana, the Supreme Court of Indiana, and other state officials, it is located in the state capital of Indianapolis at 200 West Washington Street. Built in 1888, it is the fifth building to house the state government.

Indianapolis State capital and consolidated city-county in the United States

Indianapolis, often shortened to Indy, is the state capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Indiana and the seat of Marion County. According to 2017 estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau, the consolidated population of Indianapolis and Marion County was 872,680. The "balance" population, which excludes semi-autonomous municipalities in Marion County, was 863,002. It is the 17th most populous city in the U.S. The Indianapolis metropolitan area is the 34th most populous metropolitan statistical area in the U.S., with 2,028,614 residents. Its combined statistical area ranks 27th, with a population of 2,411,086. Indianapolis covers 368 square miles (950 km2), making it the 16th largest city by land area in the U.S.

Contents

Description

The 700 pound bust is made entirely of bronze. Its full height is thirty-six inches. The base of the piece takes up a 14.5" x 9.5" footprint. At the Governor's shoulders, the bust's widest point, the work is 17 inches. The piece is in the likeness of the late Frank O'Bannon, from chest up, wearing a dress shirt and tie. [6] At the request of Judy O'Bannon, the Governor's wife, the artist specifically included O'Bannon's true-to-life crooked nose and his broad smile. [7]

Historical information

After O'Bannon's death in 2003, the Indiana State Legislature formed the Frank O'Bannon Memorial Commission to create a bust to honor the memory of the late governor. [5] The committee was co-chaired by Senator James Merritt and Representative Paul Robertson. [2] Kenneth G. Ryden was chosen from a total of six artists [5] to create the memorial. The choice was based on recommendations of artists from the Indiana Arts Commission and the Indiana Historical Society. [8] The artist was paid $20,000 in private funds [2] for the work. The bronze bust was cast at the Anderson University Art Foundry in December 2005. The completed work was unveiled in the Statehouse February 13, 2006. [2] In 2009, the creative process behind the making of this bust, as well as a memorial statue in O'Bannon's hometown, was featured in an Indianapolis Public Television special presentation Cast in Bronze. [9]

A legislature is a deliberative assembly with the authority to make laws for a political entity such as a country or city. Legislatures form important parts of most governments; in the separation of powers model, they are often contrasted with the executive and judicial branches of government.

James W. Merritt American politician

James W. Merritt Jr. is a Republican member of the Indiana Senate, representing the 31st District since 1991. He was first elected to the Indiana Senate in 1990. He was reelected to the state Senate in 2010, defeating then-Marion County Sheriff Frank J. Anderson by a margin of 52% to 44%.

Paul J. Robertson was a Democratic member of the Indiana House of Representatives, representing the 70th District from 1978 to 2011. He was the Assistant Democratic Leader, Speaker Pro Tempore Emeritus. Upon the leaving of Dennie Oxley he assumed the position of Majority whip. He was also a teacher at Corydon Central High School for a number of years.

Location history

Frank O'Bannon can be found on the third floor of the Indiana Statehouse. It sits across from the entrance to the Senate chambers [5] where Frank O'Bannon served as both state senator and Lieutenant Governor. [9] At the recommendation of The Commission to Recommend a State House Memorial for Governor O'Bannon, this bust replaced that of Calvin Fletcher, [2] which was moved to the fourth floor of the Indiana Statehouse. [6]

Artist

Kenneth G. Ryden was born in Chicago [10] and lives in Yorktown, Indiana. [8] The artist works primarily in bronze, creating both abstract and figural sculptures [10] using the lost-wax casting technique. [9] On sculpting people, Ryden says, "I use the human form as a vehicle for the communication I am trying to establish." [9] Ryden has created a number of memorial statues and busts including those honoring pitcher Carl Erskine and Martin Luther King, Jr. Work found in Anderson, Indiana includes Crucible of Peace, The Beloved, and The Graces. The artist also has done outdoor sculpture work in Springfield, Illinois and other cities around the Midwest. [10]

Yorktown, Indiana Town in Indiana, United States

Yorktown is a town in Mount Pleasant Township, Delaware County, Indiana, United States. The population was 9,405 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Muncie, IN Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Lost-wax casting

Lost-wax casting is the process by which a duplicate metal sculpture is cast from an original sculpture. Intricate works can be achieved by this method.

Carl Erskine American baseball player

Carl Daniel Erskine is a former right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played his entire career for the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers from 1948 through 1959. He was a pitching mainstay on Dodger teams which won five National League pennants, peaking with a 1953 season in which he won 20 games and set a World Series record with 14 strikeouts in a single game. Erskine pitched two of the NL's seven no-hitters during the 1950s. Following his baseball career, he was active as a business executive and an author.

The artist and the memorial

At the time of commission, Ryden was artist-in-residence at Anderson University. [5] Speaking of O'Bannon, the artist has said that he was impressed by the late governor's down-to-earth personality [8] and hoped this memorial would inspire visitors to the Statehouse to learn more about O'Bannon. [7] "I felt he made the high office of governor seem accessible. My big challenge is to show this in the work that I do." [8] The artist gathered many photographs and worked closely with O'Bannon's wife and daughter to achieve this. [9] At the official unveiling ceremony, Ryden dedicated the work to the O'Bannon family and to the state. [9]

Artist-in-residence programs exist to invite artists, academicians, and curators to reside within the premises of an institution.

See also

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References

  1. ↑ Nye, Charlie (December 17, 2009). "Our Top 10 Politics Stories this Decade". Indiananapolis Star. Retrieved November 4, 2010.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Commission to Recommend a State House Memorial for Governor O'Bannon" (PDF). Legislative Services Agency. June 16, 2004. Retrieved November 4, 2010.
  3. ↑ "Indiana Governor Frank O'Bannon (1930-2003)". Indiana Historical Bureau. Retrieved October 30, 2010.
  4. ↑ Brodsy, Alyson (December 7, 2005). "Bust of O'Bannon Created at College". Indiana Daily Student. Retrieved November 6, 2010.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Andrew E. Stoner, Judith O'Bannon (2006). Legacy of a Governor: The Life of Indiana's Frank O'Bannon. Bloomington, Indiana: Rooftop Publishing. p. 445. ISBN   1-60008-012-X.
  6. 1 2 Indiana State Museum. 'Bust of Governor Frank O'Bannon, ID 99.2006.020.0062. 29 Marchy 2006. Retrieved from Indiana State Museum Mimsy Database 18 November 2010.
  7. 1 2 "O'Bannon's Bronze Bust Unveiled Outside Senate Chamber". Croyden Democrat. February 15, 2006. Retrieved November 6, 2010.
  8. 1 2 3 4 "Artist Picked to Create O'Bannon Bust for Statehouse". June 15, 2005. Retrieved November 4, 2010.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Cast in Bronze (Television Production). Communities Building Communities. Indianapolis: WFYI. January 29, 2009.
  10. 1 2 3 "About the Artist" . Retrieved November 4, 2010.
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