TSU OLYMPIAN STATUE
The total height of the monumental icon, the TSU Olympian Statue, is 46 feet. It was constructed using the slip roller technique, a process that allows an artist to bend sheets of metal at incremental degrees between rollers. The artist who designed and constructed the TSU Olympian has been a faculty member at Tennessee State University since 1994, Jane-Allen McKinney, Associate Professor of Art. THE FIGURE: The figure is made of brass, aluminum and copper with a brush textured finish and the figure itself stands 21’ tall. The percentage of each metal used in the sculpture corresponds in direct proportion to the number of Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals won by athletes affiliated with Tennessee State University (Brass for Gold medallist, Aluminum for Silver medallist, and Copper for Bronze medallist).
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“The TSU Olympian holds a brass diploma in the right hand as an icon for the educational baton passed from TSU to her students.” All of the TSU Olympic winners earned undergraduate degrees from TSU. The diploma reads “Tennessee State University, Degree Awarded” with this text visible to the viewer standing at the foot of the base. The Olympic torch is in the left hand of the runner. THE COLUMNS: The Olympian stands on two Egyptian papyrus style columns, one 16’-8” for the raised bent knee and one 14’ for the extended leg. The Papyrus columns consist of ribbed aluminum banded with brass, aluminum and copper, representing bundles of papyrus stocks tied together for strength, typical of Egyptian columns. THE BASE: The base of the TSU Olympian is made of pre-cast concrete 11 feet high and nearly 19 feet at its greatest diameter. It is adorned with three metal bands, each band engraved with the names of Olympic medallists from Tennessee State University (Brass for Gold medallist, Aluminum for Silver medallist, and Copper for Bronze medallist). Future Tennessee State University Olympic winners will have their names added to these bands. The base is in the style of a capital from an Egyptian column. Engraved bricks surround the base of the TSU Olympian with names and messages from TSU patrons whose donations for the bricks will support TSU students. All proceeds from the Olympic brick program will be for Tennessee State University student scholarships. est. 2005
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TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY