Client: University of Texas at Austin
Location: Austin, TX, United States
Completion date: 1999
Artwork budget: $275,000
Project Team
Artist
Anna Koh Varilla
KOH-VARILLA GUILD
Overview
The Dr. King monument at the University of Texas in Austin, Texas is an 8ft. in proportion bronze figure on a 3ft. high bronze pedestal. The Texas limestone platform beneath the monument is approximately 3ft. high. The platform base is designed by us in a cross format.
Goals
Because the monument is in a university setting we wanted to portray Dr. King in his Doctor of Theology robe. Dr. king wore the doctoral robe when he preached in the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. The bronze pedestal base he stands on is based on the design of the pulpit he used. The bas-relief panels on the pedestal sides illustrate pivotal moments in Dr. King's involvement in the Civil rights Movement.
Process
The student body of the University of Texas raised money over a ten year period to finance the creation of the monument. This project was a nationwide competition.
Additional Information
The budget for the bronze monument was $275000 and we also submitted the stone plaza platform design. John Payne, the university architect, completed the stone elements of the project.