Red Deer sculptor and foundry operator Stephen Harman struggles when asked for his reaction to the recent unveiling in Vancouver of four Terry Fox statues he had a major hand in.
“What’s a really strong word for relieved?” quips Harman, from his home and workshop on the C&E Trail southwest of Red Deer.
“It was a pressure-packed last couple of weeks getting it done. It was right up to the last minute — literally.”
The project was the brainchild of Douglas Coupland, artist/novelist of Generation X fame.
Four bronze statues, showing Fox running with his distinctive stride-hop gait that has become so familiar to generations of Canadians, have been installed in front of B.C. Place.
They gradually increase in size from about two metres to nearly double life size, a nod Coupland has said to Fox’s increasing popularity as his brave Marathon of Hope continued.
Each statue faces to the west, to Stanley Park, where Fox had hoped to end his nation-spanning run to raise money for cancer in 1980.
Harman attended the unveiling, which was attended by Premier Christy Clark, and Terry Fox’s father, Rolly Fox, his brothers and sisters; Fred, Darrell and Judy, and the artist, Douglas Coupland along with 200 school children.
Harman said as the statues were unveiled the Fox family was clearly happy with the tribute.
“That’s a biggie,” he said. “They didn’t want to see it until it’s done.
“They just waited very patiently. They didn’t see it until it was unveiled and they were very pleased.”
Harman said he wasn’t surprised with the reception.
“I always knew it was so well executed and Doug’s concept was so great,” he said. “I knew this was going to be well received because really it is a beautiful concept.
“And we certainly put in the time to make sure it came out looking good.”
After the ceremony Harman joined Coupland and the Fox family at a restaurant for lunch.
Harman said the sculptures are a fitting tribute to Fox and the location is perfect.
“It’s a real jewel down there. As you walk down Robson Street, the big (statue) is so massive you can’t miss it.”
The journey from a shop in Red Deer to Vancouver involved countless hours of work involving up to seven staff at a time, he said.
Coupland designed the models of Terry Fox on his computer and those digital renderings were sent to Calgary where moulds were made. Those foam moulds were then sent in April to Harman Sculpture Foundry Ltd., where more work was done to improve them and then cast the finished statues in bronze over a metal frame.
Four and half months were spent sculpting the foam and adding detail and texture.
The first pair of statues left for Vancouver on Sept. 10 and Harman hit the road on Sept. 13, trailer in tow, to take the two largest statues the 1,100 kilometres to Vancouver, only days before the Sept. 16 unveiling ceremony. Work on the pedestals and final polishing and waxing went on almost right up to the unveiling.
“But we got it done, and I think everyone was pleased. That’s all that matters.”
A large plague has also been installed at the site. On it, Coupland wrote about what would have happened if Terry had not undertaken his run, and those involved in the project, including Harman, are recognized for their contributions.
pcowley@www.reddeeradvocate.com
— copyright Red Deer Advocate