Liberal Arts Blog — Fern Cunningham-Terry — “the Sentinel”, “Step on Board”, “Rise”
Liberal Arts Blog — Friday is the Joy of Art, Architecture, Film, Design, and All Things Visual Day
Today’s Topic — Fern Cunningham-Terry (1949–2020) — “the Sentinel”(2003), “Step on Board” (1999), “Rise” (2005)
Working in bronze, Cunningham-Terry made history. The first sculpture of a woman on city-owned land in Boston. Influences on her work included African American artists such as Augusta Savage (1892–1962) and Elizabeth Catlett (1915–2012) but also Michelangelo and Rodin, especially his “Burghers of Calais.” She was also an admirer of Henry Moore (whom we discussed last week). Like Moore, as a child, she took delight in rocks and other natural forms. Her daughter, Shamalea Abdul-Hadi, said of her: “She also was hilarious and loved songs. We sang our life away through our childhood.” She raised four children on her own. Experts — please chime in. Correct, elaborate, elucidate.
THE SENTINEL *2003" — Forest Hills Cemetery — her favorite (and mine)
1. Wisdom.
2. Serenity.
3. Setting.
NB: “I liked her because she reminded me of myself.” (Fern Cunningham-Terry)
STEP ON BOARD (1999) — at the entrance to the Harriet Tubman Park — A Double First
1. Harriet Tubman leads former slaves to freedom. The Memorial, in the South End, is part of the Boston Women’s Heritage Trail.
2. Fern-Cunningham chose not to depict Tubman holding a gun because she did not want to glorify violence.
3. The first sculpture of a woman on city-owned land in Boston. The first sculpture of a Black Woman on city-owned land in Boston.
NB: She would say that she hoped this work would raise the question: “Who is a hero?”
RISE (2005) — Mattapan Square, Blue Hill Avenue
1. One of a pair of sculptures. The other is the work of her cousin Karen Eutemey.
2. Together the two 19 foot sculptures form a gateway to Mattapan Square.
3. “Rise” is a graphic history of Mattapan from the Native American at the base to the child looking to the future at the top.
Fern Cunningham-Terry, Renowned Boston Sculptor, Dies At 71
Hanson sculptor who created Tubman memorial hails news of $20 bill
CultureNOW — Rise / Gateway to Boston: Fern Cunningham, Karen Eutemey and Boston Art Commission
YOUR TURN
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This is your chance to make someone else’s day. And to cement in your own memory something cool or important you might otherwise forget. Or to think more deeply than you otherwise would about something that is close to your heart.
