Hobart and William Smith Colleges

17 July 2013 Aub Discusses Commemorative Sculpture

Ted Aub, professor of art and architecture, will give a presentation about his inspiration for designing and creating the statue, When Anthony Met Stanton, as part of the Convention Day Weekend in Seneca Falls.

Aub was commissioned by the state in 1998 to design and sculpt the three life-sized bronze figures in honor of the 150th anniversary of the first womens rights convention. The statue recreates the moment when Amelia Bloomer introduced Susan B. Anthony to Elizabeth Cady Stanton in 1851. The statue serves as a memorial to the states heritage in the womens rights movement.

When Anthony Met Stanton depicts Bloomers and Anthonys arms interlocked, symbolizing womens solidarity. Bloomer is wearing her pants costume. Stanton is outdoors without a hat, showing her willingness to change the structures of societys conventions. Both Anthony and Stanton are striding forward, foreshadowing the womens rights movement. At the unveiling of the statue in 1999, Aub said that he gave Stanton a book to hold as an expression of Stanton being the intellectual force behind the movement.

Stanton was the message and Anthony was the voice of the movement, Aub said.

He noted sculpting such a monument carried extra pressure because of its prominence. It was important not only to do an excellent sculpture but also to convey the spirit of the event with accuracy. I am thrilled and honored to have created this statue, he said.

Earlier this year, Aub was the recipient of the Classes of 1964 Endowed Chair, established in honor of the 40th Reunion of those classes to help the Colleges recognize a faculty member who has demonstrated excellence in teaching, scholarship and service. He has been a member of the department of art and architecture at HWS since 1981. Public projects of his on the Colleges campus include sculptures of Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell and William Smith.

Other public works include a series of sculptures at The Village of Merrick Park in Coral Gables, Fla. Aub has also been commissioned for private and public sculptures in Korea and most recently in Jinan, China.

He has been recognized with numerous national and regional awards. In the region, he has been a regular contributor to the biannual Finger Lakes Exhibition, at the Memorial Art Gallery in Rochester. On two occasions he has won the coveted museum award. Aub has also been included in the Everson Biennial in Syracuse and the State Museum in Albany as well as many college galleries.

Aubs presentation will take place at the Seneca Museum of Waterways and Industry, 89 Fall Street, Seneca Falls, at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 20. Admission is free and light refreshments will be served.