Bust of Otis Bowen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Otis Bowen |
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|---|---|
| Artist | Lou Ann Lanagan |
| Year | 1981 |
| Type | Bronze sculpture |
| Dimensions | (20.5" in × 13" in) |
| Location | Indiana Statehouse, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States |
| 39°46′7.2″N 86°9′45.69″W / 39.768667°N 86.1626917°W | |
| Owner | State of Indiana |
The sculpture named Otis Bowen is a bronze bust. It shows Dr. Otis Bowen. He was the Governor of Indiana from 1973 to 1981. Later, he became the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. This was from 1985 to 1989, when Ronald Reagan was President.
Contents
What the Sculpture Looks Like
This bronze bust shows former Governor Otis R. Bowen. He is wearing glasses, a jacket, a shirt, and a tie. The bust sits on top of a wooden base. A small sign, called a plaque, is on the base. It says: "OTIS R. BOWEN, M.D. / GOVERNOR / JANUARY 8, 1973 - JANUARY 12, 1981."
Where to Find the Sculpture
You can find the bust and its base in the Indiana Statehouse. It is on the second floor. It sits in a special spot called an alcove. This spot is right across the hall from the House of Representatives.
Special Message on the Wall
Underneath the alcove, there is another plaque on the wall. It shares some interesting facts about Dr. Bowen:
Dr. Bowen was the first / Governor to serve two / consecutive four year / terms since adoption of the / 1851 Indiana Constitution. / This bust was given to the / people of Indiana in 1983 by / the artist, Lou Ann Lanagan, / of Indianapolis, / and the committee / for a Bowen portrait.
On the back of the bust, you can see signatures. Both Governor Bowen and the artist, Lou Ann Lanagan, signed it. It also has the year 1981 written on it.
How the Sculpture Was Made
In 1981, the artist Lou Ann Lanagan created the first model. She used clay for this model. Lanagan was a personal friend of Governor Bowen. She used Polaroid photos of him to help her.
Artist's Choice and Process
Lanagan decided to show Governor Bowen smiling. She wanted to capture his friendly personality. To make the final sculpture, she used a method called lost-wax casting. This process turns the clay model into a strong bronze bust.
Where the Copies Are
Three copies of the bust were made. One is in the main hall, or rotunda, of the Indiana Statehouse. Another copy is at Bethel College. The third copy is at Ball State University. It is in the Archives and Special Collections Research Center there.
About the Artist
The sculptor, Lou Ann Lanagan, did not go to art school. She became interested in sculpting in a unique way. She watched her dentist working with dental plaster. Lanagan thought it looked like fun. Her dentist then challenged her to sculpt a human face from clay.
Lanagan's Sculpting Journey
She started by making a bust of her own husband. After that, she began to sculpt other important Indiana businessmen. These included Eli Lilly and Thomas H. Lake. Thomas H. Lake was the President of Eli Lilly and Co. Lanagan has said that she likes to sculpt men who are over 50 years old.
