Compiled by Matthew Lehner and Kate Kovarik
1. The Bather
Along the walkway from Ritter Hall to Tegler Hall resides one of SLU’s numerous fountains and statues. The Bather closely resembles the figure of God in the Sistine Chapel’s ceiling. Gary?Mauro created the statue in 1997 and also has other works, including paintings, which are displayed in the Pere Marquette Gallery in DuBourg Hall.
This statue, however, has played another role than just gracing SLU’s campus. It was one of the naked statues that helped inspired the name of SLU’s all-male a capella group, Bare Naked Statues.
One of the founding members, Rob Turner (Arts and Sciences, ’04), recollects that they used to play Frisbee between naked statue to naked statue, and that the “sluzie in the Jacuzzi” was one of the honorary players. “We used play with the Frisbee. We sometimes would make the object to hit the statues,” said Turner. “I don’t remember exactly the conversation where we came up with the name for the group, but we had a lot of fun with [the name].”
2. Daydreamer
A little less startling than the strikingly similar female statue that used to sit in front of Pius XII Library, Daydreamer does not stare at passersby. American artist Michael Atkinson sculpted this statue as part of his mission to capture emotion, be it subtle or exaggerated. Daydreamer details a girl sitting down in deep thought, wearing only one long-sleeve of her collared shirt and breathing in the air above her, with her eyes shut.
Atkinson created the sculpture in 1995, 10 years after he decided to switch his art market from two-dimensional to three-dimensional. Atkinson began creating two-dimensional art at an early age with the help of crayons, and his passion developed into an obsession. He was so immersed in his love of drawing, as a first grader, that he barely learned to read.
This sculpture is located in the center of Saint Louis University’s mall, between the Simon Recreation Center and Pius XII Library.
3. The Classics
The Classics, south of DuBourg Hall, is a tribute piece to those who have overcome great struggles and persevered. George?Lundeen created this statue in 1994 and based the main character off a boy in Loveland, Colo. The boy was named Danny and was born with Down’s syndrome. The boy was able to overcome the limitations of his syndrome and educated people on how hard work can help anyone overcome their struggles.
4. The Billiken
So you have rubbed the Billiken’s belly, but what is this strange and peculiar creator that has been called one of the coolest mascots in the country?
While the stories and legends differ on how the Billiken exactly came about, there is one story that is generally accepted. It all started in the early 1900s when a Chicago distributor, Billiken Company, decided to make these little creatures with grinning mouths and plump bellies. A sports writer in St. Louis, William O’Connor, thought that SLU’s football coach (when SLU still had a football team), John Bender, resembled these Billikens. The football team soon became known as Bender’s Billikens, and the name has stuck with the University since. The famous Billiken statue came to campus in 1996 and was created by James Reid, whose wife, Mary Francis Skinker, graduated from SLU.
5. The Pilgrim
The Pilgrim is one the newest sculptures on SLU’s campus, but it can explain the University’s oldest themes. Created by American Vicki Reid in 2000, the statue is of St. Ignatius Loyola, a member of the founding group of the Society of Jesuits. “The staff he carries is symbolic of his ongoing ‘pilgrim’ journey in life to ‘find God in all things,'” according to the Regional Arts Commission.
Originally born into a Basque family, St. Ignatius was once an officer in the Spanish army. An injury during his service caused him to return home and begin formal studies. He received a Masters of Arts from the University of Paris, where he met the other founding members of the Jesuit order.
The sculpture was commissioned by University President Lawrence Biondi, S.J., in 1999 and was donated by a benefactor in the name of SLU volunteer Mary Bruemmer. To Campus Ministry director Lisa Reiter, the statue reminds her of the Jesuit principle of “accompaniment” and of Campus Ministry’s own motto of “with you on the way.” She further explained, “We are to be Christians on the move working for the greater glory, of God.”
6.Living Flame,Flowing Water
Living Flame and Flowing Water, despite their individual, bright shades of red and blue steel, are less-known, due to their hidden location on SLU’s campus.
Fire and water hold polar opposite functions, but their active structure is similar, as the sculpture indicates. The abstract overlapping and criss-crossing of pillars gives a loosely flowing composition. These illustrations of natural phonemena can, as the St. Louis Regional Art Commission says, “uplift or pacify and create a contemplative space.” American artist and Florissant native Mel Meyer designed this piece in 1994, to maintain his goal to create art in a variety of media, such as metal, stone, watercolor, fresco, acrylics and handmade paper.
Meyer worked as a resident artist in St. Louis during the past 25 years. He joined the Marianists (Brothers of Mary) in 1947. In 1960, he earned his Master of Arts at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana, studying under the internationally renowned artists Ivan Mestrovic and Jean Charlot.
These structures are located in the green area between Fusz Memorial Hall and Laclede Avenue.
7. News from Marathon
Pheidippidies, at the entrance to the Simon Recreation Center, sparks bizarre looks from both students and visitors, due to his lack of modesty. The statue, created by Kirk St. Maur in 1994, is a life-size representation of Pheidippidies running from Marathon to Athens in 400 B.C. to share the news that Athens had defeated Persia. The statue is one of the most memorable on campus. One of the peculiarities of this statue is its empty eye sockets.
Often, families visiting Saint Louis University ponder the existence of this nude-male statue. University ambassador Patrick Turner said that the statues are often a topic of conversation. “On tours, I say, ‘Yeah . I think they call it art,’ which in return sparks a lot of smiles and laughter,” Turner said.
8. Caduceus
The sculptor knows her as Caduceus, and one anonymous Saint Louis University student refers to her as “crazy bird lady.” Although the sculpture is female and has a nine-foot wing span, the latter name is obsolete. Caduceus is based on the universal symbol of medicine-a staff with two serpents coiled around it-and is named after the angel of healing.
The bronze statue was created in 1997 by American James Muir, who describes his piece as “allegorical art,” hinting at the sculpture’s symbolic meanings. According to the Saint Louis Regional Art Commission Web site, Muir “bridges the centuries from his historical military subjects to today’s social, political and spiritual commentary. His sculptures speak eloquently of duty, honor, courage and justice but above all, of truth and the ultimate triumph of the human spirit.” This sculpture is located in the green space on the northwest corner of Laclede Street and Grand Boulevard, west of the Georgetown parking lot.
9. Cor ad Cor Loquitur?
Latin for “heart to heart speaketh,” Cor ad Cor Loquitor is meant to exemplify the “caring and love of Jesus to the world.” These words are contained in the mission of the hospital of Benedictine Sisters of Sacred Heart Monastery in Yankton, S.D.
The sisters asked American artist James Michael Maher to create the sculpture in 1996, and Maher did so, using his 18-month-old son as a model for the child that the bronze parent holds. This loving gesture parallels Jesus’ unconditional love for all with a parent’s love for a child. The addition of a bench invites the viewer to sit and observe the themes of caring and love presented in the sculpture. This statue is located in the green area on Grand, between Saint Francis Xavier College Church and DuBourg Hall.
10. Profile Canto and Abstract Variation
Not seen by most, the Profile Canto and Abstract Variation is one of the best examples of modern art on campus. Just east of McDonnell Douglas Hall, the statue was built by St. Louis native Ernest Trova.
It is often seen by most as just a bunch of shapes with no meaning. However, there are hidden silhouettes in each of the forms. Trova first used cardboard when working on this piece, then used Cor-ten steel.
Dr. Patrick C. Ward • Sep 19, 2018 at 4:21 pm
The article above about Bold Statues has several errors, specifically:
1. The Pilgrim:
‘… The sculpture was commissioned by University President Lawrence Biondi, S.J., in 1999 and was donated by a benefactor in the name of SLU volunteer Mary Bruemmer.”
*Larry Biondi did Not commission the statue, I did. I know that because I am benefactor that paid for the statue and donated it the the University. Mary Bruemmer and I worked on this together. I have owed Mary much, not just as a friend whom I have remained close to for over 40 years but for all that she did for me while I was as SLU, Fr. Biondi had nothing to do with it other than to host the unveiling.
2. The 1st statue that I ever commissioned, paid for and worked with Mary Bruemmer on was the statue that now graces the lawn at Mary Bruemmer Plaza. The statue is Madonna Della Strada and I am surprised that you did not have it listed as one of the BOLD statues on campus because it truly is. It has been recognized by no fewer that 9 foundations, committees, religious organizations culture and museum reviews as outstanding and worthy of their highest honor. It is listed on the Vatican museum list of recognized top outdoor statues/religious art. Mary Bruemmer wanted a statue of Mary that was modern. Period. She did not want the typical Blessed Mother statue you see so often in churches. Mary wanted a statue that would inspire students for decades to come. I went to Mary with the idea of doing a statue, Mary and I worked with Vicki Reed who created it. I know the history because I was there and I have a 3’ replica of it in my home in Florida that Vicki Reed presented me with. To Not have this highly recognized statue on your list is, I am sure, just an error because it is on every other list. Mary Bruemmer is a visionary, this is her vision. Me, I am the guy who was lucky enough to have her in my life, from my freshman year to now. patrick ward ’77
Shirley Bieser • Apr 24, 2018 at 9:19 pm
Could you send me a picture of Cor ad Cor Loquitur by James Michael Maher. I am interested in purchasing one for our school playground to help promote our virtues.
Jarold Rux • May 10, 2017 at 12:49 pm
I have a question…I called the University and the person said she would call me back but that did not happen. I am wondering about a sculpture on SLU property, right next to the College Church. It has Jesus sitting with a child. Could I get information about who produced that piece?
Thanks and blessings,
Jarold Rux
116 Gran Vista Drive, Festus, MO 63028
(636) 933-0512