News and Events James Muir Bronze Sculptor | Bronze Sculpture by James Muir Bronze Sculptor | Allegorical Sculpture & Monuments in Bronze

A ghostly figure wrapped in cloths secured with packing tape offered a mystery to visitors of the newly opened Jefferson Hall.

A brow and nose could be detected through the blanket draped over the figure's head. Bronze legs and a pair of shoes were visible, too, from where the figure stood in front of the building.

The commotion about who was standing seemingly bound and gagged in front of the new library, officially open less than a week at the time, moved inside, where the mystery began to be solved.

A granite pedestal awaited in the library's rotunda. Perhaps those legs and shoes were meant to rest upon the pedestal.

Sure enough, a team of movers hoisted the massive, puzzling figure onto the pedestal and promptly removed the protective wraps.

A familiar face smiled to the crowd.

The group of cadets, staff members and other on-lookers was greeted by the third president of the United States.

The statue portrays in detail - from the writing on a document to the design of a pinky ring - how Thomas Jefferson likely looked March 16, 1802, when he signed the law that established the U.S. Military Academy.

The rotunda in which Jefferson's statue rests is a gift from the class of 1968. The class' fundraising goal of $2.5 million to build the rotunda was exceeded, so the class spent the extra money on the statue and some other aesthetic details and commemorative plaques to come, Dutch Hostler, class vice president and chairman of the class gift committee, said.
Jefferson was chosen for the statue because the building bears his name, and the signing of the law that brought the academy into existence seemed to be the most fitting act of Jefferson's to be portrayed in West Point's library, Hostler said.

James Nathan Muir, former class of 1968, was commissioned to sculpt the statue. Researching and sculpting the statue took two years, Muir's wife, Linda, said. Muir enlisted the help of a Jefferson re-enactor from Colonial Williamsburg, Va., to model and offer historical perspective.

"Nothing is by accident," Linda Muir said about the statue's designs. "He has on the right kind of clothing. Everything down to how the shoes are tied is historically accurate."

The Muirs came from Arizona to supervise the statue's installation. And while they had a rather uneventful trip to West Point, their bronze guest did not. The statue, which travelled separately by truck, was "tested by fire, just like the real Thomas Jefferson was tested by fire," Hostler said, referring to Jefferson's library burning down. The truck carrying the statue caught on fire in Indiana, and Jefferson was singed. But, cleaning restored the statue to pre-fire condition. Seeing the as-good-as-new statue installed in its resting place was a good feeling for the artist, who considers the statue his gift to his former class and the academy. The academy "cemented in me a code of honor and a never-flinching quest for and adherence to the Truth, with a capital T, in all things," Muir said. Having such a noted figure and honored philosopher keeping watch over the library's entrance adds to the building's academic experience, Brig. Gen. Patrick Finnegan, the academy's dean, said.
"This building is the centerpiece of our academic program, and as you can see, cadets are already attracted to (the statue)," Finnegan said. "This building is for cadets and about cadets. (The statue) is going to help attract them here."
For now, though, Jefferson's statue has been recovered and will remain so until a dedication scheduled for 11 a.m. Sept. 5 during the class' 40th reunion. The class also will be able to see quotes in large letters from Jefferson adorning the circular wall around the the rotunda's ceiling and commemorative plaques hung on the wall honoring 20 classmates killed in action during the Vietnam War and particularly generous donors.

SCULPTURES DONATED TO UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA STUDENT UNION VETERAN’S BUILDING ROTUNDA:

“Band of Brothers” and “Shield of America”
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Lincoln

Lincoln indicated he donated the work because they felt it symbolizes the results of “staying the course” following such a tragedy….the American people are a Band of Brothers always ever-mindful of our true origin behind us and the ultimate objective ahead in pursuing our DUTY to our Supreme Commander (stated Tom Lincoln)

“Some Gave All”

Jim and Jeanne Kay Van Houten and two sons are all UA Alumni. Their donation is due to their very strong conviction and commitment to education and patriotism…..

Rotunda Bronze Wall Quote:
“For All Who Put Themselves In Harm’s Way
Then, Now, Always”

Quote-bronze lettering, donated by Tom and Cheryl Lincoln and HLAF-James Muir, State Seal and bronze U.S. Flag donated by HLAF

Article by Lynn Trombetta: University of Arizona V.E.T.S. Combat Paper Project and Workshop for local press 101312

Works by Bronze Sculpture Artist, James N. Muir stand in tribute to America's brave at The University of Arizona and watch over this year's events honoring veterans and celebrating the completion of the Veteran's Memorial Rotunda two-year project. Among the planned affairs is The Combat Paper Project Workshop and Art Exhibit sponsored by the Muir’s Human Liberty ARTT Foundation (HLAF). This special project that seeks to “give a voice to Veterans and helping build community” is being held at the University of Arizona this month. Throughout November visitors can see some of the same sculptures in the Sedona Gallery that will be on display in Tucson.

The Combat Paper Project’s Director, Drew Cameron explains, “We use traditional hand papermaking to facilitate intergenerational workshops with veterans, family members, and the non-veteran community in the transformation of clothing rags into paper, prints, books, and art. All of our experiences are carried in the woven threads. Through the hand papermaking process, the clothing is deconstructed, transformed and altered into paper sheets that accentuate these individual and collective stories.” The workshop will be held November 12-16 at the University and will culminate in an art exhibit in the Rotunda on November 17. www.combatpaper.org

Believing that “Art is not a mirror to reflect reality, but a hammer to shape it”, Muir champions the cause of liberty through his art. Muir states, “I have striven to design the elements of my patriotic sculptures into works that capture the courage and determination of brave men and women. Not as static sculptures, but as a dynamic statement about service to humanity.” In keeping with this dedication to Liberty, he and his wife, Linda, founded the Human Liberty ARTT Foundation (HLAF), a 501©3 non-profit organization in 2004. Based in Arizona, the foundation provides scholarships to students who can continue to raise awareness utilizing their own talent and dedication to "ARTT" (Artistic Responsibility To Truth”).

Muir's sculptures, "Band of Brothers", a WWII historical sculpture, "Some Gave All", a Vietnam era piece, and “Shield of America” on exhibit at the University of Arizona serve to keep the spirit and memories alive. The sites for the sculptures were chosen with the help of Ricardo Pereyda – President, UA Chapter Student Veterans of America for the V.E.T.S Office, and donations of Tom Lincoln and Jim Van Houten Families. For Pereyda, a student and veteran himself, who knows what challenges soldiers can face in transitioning to school and the “outside world” when they return, this has been an especially meaningful project.

Of interest is how the Student Union Memorial Center building, itself, pays tribute in both design and memorabilia to the battleship U.S.S. Arizona. Muir will be on hand again December 7th for U.S.S. Arizona Day Events, Bell Ringing, and dedication ceremonies of the UA Student Union Veteran's building Rotunda. This is one of the largest student unions in the country and also houses the veterans organization, V.E.T.S. (Veterans Education and Transition Services), a new office at the University that assists in making the transition from soldier to student smoother for veterans. There are over 1000 veterans on campus and the V.E.T.S. offices are intimately connected with every other office on campus, from administration to financial aid.

Muir, a Sedona, Arizona resident, where his career began in 1980, served in both the Army and the Air Force. Although Muir’s subjects range from historical to contemporary, through his patriotic sculptures he depicts the courage and sacrifice so many have made. In bronze works such as “The American Pieta”, “Band of Brothers”, “Duty”, “Cry Freedom”, “Sons of Liberty”, Cornerstones of Freedom”, Let Freedom Ring & Lil’ Liberty”, and “Athena’s Prayer”, the focus is not on war, but to honor Man’s courageous quest for Truth and Freedom.

Muir states, “The University of Arizona and V.E.T.S. are generously providing, through the Combat Paper Project, an opportunity for the Veterans to heal the emotional wounds of war while offering the rest of us, through our support, a means to express our appreciation for their courage and sacrifice. As an artist with military service of my own, I welcome being able to participate in this meaningful event.”

Not Very Long Ago Most of the Art Created in Western Culture was made for and paid for by the Church . . . Is Anyone Out There Still Doing It?
Is It Still Religious?

Does the current art market demand that artists avoid controversy and depict only popular or trendy subject matter in order to make a living?

Can an artist who paints polluted landscapes, for instance, actually sell them?

And aside from commercial considerations, do artists who consciously relay social or psychological messages in their work really make a change in the world?

At some level, artists face questions like these every day in their work. The answers they find and the messages they care about vary as much as the art itself.

THE USE OF SYMBOL

"Art, historically, has had as one of its primary purposes to make people aware of higher aspects of themselves, of humanity, individually and collectively." say Sedona sculptor James Muir.

"But art has fallen victim to the comercialism and the materialism of our age so that all too often, making social commentary through art is not financially viable. Often it is avoided."

Muir, who became popular as an artist depicting the Civil War era and cavalry subjects of the American frontier, chose to move from the financially secure world of historical art to include imagery that has a message beyond the surface. Success, he says, is about filling the primary purpose each of us is here for, to make a difference in whatever way we can with our particular talent. Success is not necessarily about the gains that follow.

Symbols fill Muir's work, challenging the viewer to search for more meaning than meets the eye. Muir's pieces have three levels of awareness. First, the art much be technically good, because poorly rendered art with allegorical message do not capture attention long enough to relate deeper meanings. The second level of understanding usually reveals higher traits in human values, such as courage or duty. The third level of awareness is always spiritual.

"There is nothing in this world that is not spiritual, but often this level has to be explained," he maintains.
Muir created the bronze, "Liberte'", because he felt that human liberty has been eroded until it is but a mask of its former glory. In "Liberte'", the head and neck of the Statue of Liberty are posed with a tear on the cheek of the lady as she looks to make sure that Freedom's Torch is still lit. Five rays remain on her crown, the sixty ray of responsibility lies like a dagger of truth behind her while the seventh ray of spirituality is entirely missing. She is balanced upon a tablet symbolizing the Declaration of Independence which has been chipped away to become a broken covenant.

"I'm not out for shock value or to make anyone uncomfortable," he says. "What I do is produce awareness. Today our entertainment media is geared towards avoidance of dealing with what life is about. They provide constant distractions so that we don't have to deal with the meatier issues of life. Some people may be a little disturbed at the messages in my work but not turned off by them. I have yet to have anyone say, "Yes, we are concerned but we don't want to think about it."