ABOUT THE ARTIST
HARRIET TUBMAN
ARTIST STATEMENT
This life–size bronze bust of Harriet Tubman portrays her as a young woman in her 30’s, as she would have looked when she traveled the Underground Railroad in the 1850’s. Her turned head and slightly raised chin signify not only her watchfulness but also suggest a powerful internal strength and approachable dignity. A decision was made to portray Ms. Tubman without her headscarf or bandana in order to depict her freedom from any vestige of bondage.
The bust resides atop a Red Cedar log capped with a slab of ancient “Wye Oak“. This solid base is different from many hollow wooden pedestals and was selected to symbolize the many aspects of Ms. Tubman’s life and character.
The Wye Oak slab is cut from the tree that stood for 460 years in Wye Mills, Maryland, signifying her Maryland roots and deep connection to our Maryland history.
Red Cedar of course is indigenous to the Eastern Shore and Dorchester County, Harriet Tubman’s birthplace. This particular log was carefully chosen because of its typical spiraling form and splayed branch bringing to mind Ms. Tubman’s unique journey. It represents her early work with her father as a logger, cutting and hauling logs for transport to the shipyards of Baltimore. It also signifies her travels on the Underground Railroad through Maryland and Delaware woodlands, which provided cover and sanctuary. Most importantly the simple log base represents her character- strong, unyielding and protective.
Finally, the height of the pedestal and bust is 5‘, which was the actual height of Ms. Tubman. Visitors may be struck by the smaller stature as they continue through the Visitors Center and consider the magnitude of the impact she had on our country’s History.
Brendan Thorpe O’Neill
sculptures
FREDERICK DOUGLASS BUST
ARTIST STATEMENT
Incredibly, two of our country’s most towering National figures have come from the Eastern Shore of Maryland. So, it seemed natural to create this bust of Frederick Douglass to accompany my earlier portrait of Harriet Tubman to celebrate these two activists from the same era and area, so different in style and paths taken, but so similar in their passion and commitment to Justice and Equality. Like my Tubman bronze, my Douglass bust is life–size, capturing him in his younger years. He had such a powerful face, I wanted to sculpt him without his beard. My intent was to capture Frederick Douglass in his prime–formidable and resolute with strong features, piercing eyes and stylish in formal attire. There is symbolism in the pedestal. It is built with 450 yr old Wye Oak signifying Douglass’s Maryland roots. And the shape of the pedestal resembles a lectern or podium which is a reference to Douglass’s brilliant oratory skills he employed so well in fighting for Abolition.
With Deep Respect,
Brendan Thorpe O’Neill
PUBLIC MONUMENTS
“The Gift” Commemorating the 1847 Choctaw Donation to Ireland Choctaw Cultural Center | Durant, OK
THE NATIONAL FAMINE MUSEUM, IRELAND
A life-size bronze sculpture titled “The Gift,” which commemorates the generous aid provided by the Choctaw Nation to Ireland during the Famine, was unveiled outside the National Famine Museum at Strokestown Park, Roscommon. Esteemed American sculptor Brendan O’Neill, based in Maryland, USA, sculpted “The Gift,” which is a replica of his original piece displayed at the Choctaw Cultural Center in Oklahoma.
The sculpture, generously donated by the O’Neill Family, is now permanently installed in the courtyard adjacent to Ireland’s National Famine Museum, offering insights into one of the most significant periods in Irish history.
Photo: Sculptor Brendan O’Neill and his wife Susan, pictured after the unveiling with their children, grandchildren, and extended family who traveled from the USA for the ceremony.
Photo by Brian Farrell.
