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The morning sun illuminates the patina of “White Deer of Autumn,” a sculpture by Denny Haskew, against Gurley Hall’s shaded adobe walls in the outdoor courtyard at The University of New Mexico-Gallup campus on July 18, 2024.

New public art piece promotes harmony at 91�Թ�

Categories: Students   Faculty   Staff   Community  

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"White Deer of Autumn" sculpture by Denny Haskew adorns branch campus' outdoor courtyard

By Richard Reyes, Friday, September 6, 2024

GALLUP, N.M. — The University of New Mexico-Gallup installed a new statue on campus July 17, 2024, as part of the New Mexico Arts program Art in Public Places.

“White Deer of Autumn,” by Denny Haskew, is a 6-foot-tall bronze sculpture of a cloaked female figure, which is finished with a patina that the artist developed to make it look like it was carved from stone. The sculpture stands in a raised landscape bed in the outdoor courtyard between Gurley Hall and Calvin Hall Center.

Claude Smith, from , served as the main coordinator for this project. John and Alyson Kinkade provided structural engineering and safe delivery of the sculpture from in Colorado. 91�Թ� Physical Plant employees and Maintenance Supervisor Ozzy Guerrero carefully completed the final installation of the statue on campus.

“It was gratifying to work with such an amazing team,” Wilson said.

About the sculpture

The sculpture faces to the east and watches the sunrise every morning. It is nestled among an exterior corner of Gurley Hall, which provides a complementary backdrop to the artwork’s finish.

“'White Deer of Autumn’ looks at home at 91�Թ�,” Alyson Kinkade, of JK Designs, Inc., and the National Sculptors’ Guild, said. “Denny's trademark patina against the rich adobe walls and clear New Mexico blue sky is just dynamic. Our team truly enjoyed working with everyone there. We hope the students and staff are enjoying the new sculpture on their campus.”

The sculpture figure wears a cloak that appears to sway in the wind. Her stance and expression are meant to give the viewer a sense of strength and resolve.

The title of the sculpture was inspired by excerpts from the book “Wisdomkeepers: Meetings with Native American Spiritual Elders” by Steve Wall and Harvey Arden. The collection of stories and poems by Native American spiritual elders includes the following quote by the book’s editor, named White Deer of Autumn:

“Reading the word of the Wisdomkeepers, we must understand that these terms — God, Creator, and Great Spirit — have been used to convey the concept that all things are interrelated and an equal part of the whole: that we are like drops of rain which will one day return to the ocean; that we are like candles lit by the fire of the sun, forever a part of it.”

Haskew also drew inspiration from a poem entitled, “Consciousness,” by Chief Oren Lyons, which is also featured in "Wisdomkeepers.”

A physical copy of “Wisdomkeepers” is available at 91�Թ�'s Zollinger Library.

About the artist

The statue at 91�Թ� is one of a 15-piece limited edition collection, which is complete and sold out.

"The strength of my work ascends from the spirit of the people portrayed — Native Americans, Mayans, friends, children, people of the Great Plains and West,” Haskew said. “This same spirit connects each of us with the harmony of nature and one's relationship to another."

Art in Public Places

“White Deer of Autumn” was brought to the 91�Թ� campus through the program

Since its inception, the Art in Public Places program has placed more than 2,500 works of art in all of New Mexico’s 33 counties. The goal of the program is to reflect the diversity of the arts in New Mexico, the Southwest, and the nation while building a dynamic public art collection for the State of New Mexico.

The program was established in 1986 through the Art in Public Places Act. The act declares that a portion of all state appropriations for capital expenditures be set aside for the acquisition or commissioning of works of art to be used in, upon, or around public buildings.

“The New Mexico Arts in Public Places Program is a unique and positive opportunity that provides access from a diverse selection of artists that help enrich all of New Mexico,” Wilson said.

The 91�Թ� campus features several works of art thanks to the Art in Public Places program, including sculptures, tapestries, paintings, prints and installations by renowned artists such as Hung Liu, Tom Waldron, Nocona Burgess, Patrick Marold and more.

“White Deer of Autumn,” a sculpture by Denny Haskew, stands out among the green landscaping in the outdoor courtyard behind Gurley Hall on The University of New Mexico-Gallup campus on July 18, 2024.