1 The Sower – First in the Garden
In 2019, the Southern Utah Museum of Art received funding from Iron County, the Stillman family, and Southern Utah University to landscape this outdoor space into a beautiful garden for all to enjoy. “The Sower” by Jane Dedecker, was the first statue to be selected for placement in the Stillman Sculpture Court. At the installation ceremony university president, Scott Wyatt referred to the educational metaphor presented by the piece. Referring to the mission of higher education he said, “We plant seeds that lead to a wonderful harvest. In our case, a harvest of understanding, compassion, opportunities, and skills for a complex and global world.”
2 The Sower – Making “The Sower”
Viewers often take note of the physical texture of this work. The rough, seemingly unfinished surface reflects the artist’s clay sculpting of the piece that proceeds the bronze casting of the finished sculpture. In describing her process artist Jane DeDecker wrote,
“My work is a cumulative process made of my life experiences and my desire to sculpt the human form, each piece tells [the] story of how it was created – every stroke supporting the narrative. I try to retain in the sculpture the beginning strokes and gestures, because for me they contain the truth of the spirit. The finished piece hopefully reveals my thoughtful study of the subject and the energy of the creative process.”
3 The Sower – Artist: Jane DeDecker
Jane DeDecker grew up with nine sisters and brothers on a family farm in Iowa, and her art work reflects a connection to nature, both the environment and human nature. Trained in both stone carving and bronze casting, Dedecker has over 175 works of art on display in over thirty-three states. Her most notable pieces include the statue of Harriet Tubman at the Clinton Presidential Library in Little Rock, Arkansas and the likeness of Emily Dickenson at Converse College in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Along with her own artful interpretations of the human form she is also fascinated by commissioned projects. DeDecker enjoys being the sculptural voice for others to commemorate an individual, celebrate a community, or memorialize an historical event. Many of her works were created through partnerships with art counsels, elected committees, and families.