Furman’s newest art installation is a permanent one: the long-anticipated Joseph Vaughn statue, based on a historic University photograph, is here to stay. We sat down with sculptor Steven Whyte to talk about the inspiration, process, and history behind the new addition to the James B. Duke library.
This story originally appeared in The Greenville Journal.
GJ: How were you contacted to create this piece?
SW: Furman reached out to us early on after they had decided to move forward with redesigning the plaza and erecting the sculpture. It was clear from the very beginning that the sculpture was to be part of a larger project regarding addressing history and diversity at Furman.
After we submitted our RFQ we were informed that we had been selected as a finalist. Then, we participated in a series of interviews with the Furman team and were eventually awarded the commission.
GJ: What is the inspiration for this piece?
SW: The main inspiration is a historic photograph of Joseph Vaughn walking into the Furman library.
It’s important to create something authentic to Vaughn’s time that is also a timeless and permanent celebration of his bravery and courageous dignity.
GJ: What materials did you use to create this piece?
SW: The work was sculpted in clay then molded and finally cast in art-grade bronze.
GJ: How long did it take to create and what was the creation process like?
SW: The contracts were drafted in January 2020. I was lucky to be able to visit the Furman campus later that month and had an absolutely wonderful time. Obviously, the campus is beyond stunning and I was also able to stuff myself with barbeque.
We created a maquette over the spring. Sculpting of the life-size figure began in June. We were just about complete with the clay work in September and then worked to incorporate some of the finer details. We went on to mold the figure. Then it was cast in art-grade bronze. The figure was patinaed in December. Next, it was crated and on its way Furman. He left California on Jan. 5 and arrived at his new home on Jan. 11, so in total just under a year.
GJ: What is your favorite part of the piece and why?
SW: A unique element of this project is the goal is to not just to recreate a historical likeness of Joseph Vaughn but also to reflect a specific moment in his personal history and the history of the Furman campus’ landscape. It’s important to create something authentic to Vaughn’s time that is also a timeless and permanent celebration of his bravery and courageous dignity. One of the ways we approached that challenge was to recreate the 1965 Bonhomie yearbook Vaughn is holding.
At a broader level, one of the things that has always attracted me to figurative work is it allows the opportunity to learn other people’s stories. Recently there’s been a much-delayed realization of the need to expand the diversity of the stories told in public art. I have found projects that follow this pursuit to be more interesting, more challenging and ultimately more worthwhile. The Vaughn project is one such project.
GJ: When was it completed?
SW: Early January 2021.
The Joseph Vaughn sculpture is located outside of the James B. Duke Library on Furman University’s campus at 3300 Poinsett Hwy. in Greenville. Sculpture by Steven Whyte.
