Over the course of his life, Avard Tennyson Fairbanks created more than 100 monuments and even more artworks. His father was an art instructor at Brigham Young Academy and owned a photography studio, which undoubtedly influenced Avard Fairbanks’ own inclination towards the fine arts. In fact, Fairbanks completed his first sculpture at age 12: a model of his pet rabbit. Fairbanks went on to lead a successful career, having his works displayed in prestigious spaces such as the U.S. Supreme Court Building, Ford’s Theater Museum, and the National Academy of Design. He was also commissioned to create numerous pieces for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including Angel Moroni sculptures for temple spires.
Throughout his professional journey, Fairbanks sculpted over a dozen sculptures and busts portraying Abraham Lincoln, a man whose legacy is celebrated this President’s Day. In Abraham Lincoln - The President, Fairbanks sculpts Lincoln in marble, equating his influence as a president and political thinker with the eternal nature of stone. In doing so, Fairbanks reminds us of the impact Abraham Lincoln had on society and solidifies his place in history as a figure whose significance transcends time.
Guest author: curatorial fellow Kendall Clawson da Silva
