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The campus of University of Alabama features plenty of fun and unusual artworks – from Tuska, the seven-ton elephant, to Goldie, an affable-looking, rusting robot representing Alabama’s iron age. One of the more recent additions is a sculpture of a strong, elegant woman and her owl.
Who is she? Minerva, a Roman goddess with an entire laundry list of characteristics, including wisdom, law, justice, victory, strategy and arts. The owl, also symbolizing wisdom, is often depicted as her companion. But why is she here, on the University of Alabama campus?
“The statue is Minerva, the Roman Goddess of wisdom, who also adorns the University’s institutional seal,” said UA President Stuart R. Bell. “She is a notable reminder of UA’s commitment to serving others and how we are all one community with a shared vision of impacting the world through teaching, research and service.”
On the UA seal, Minerva is depicted wearing attire proper for a more ancient time – a long, flowing gown. The sculpture, created by artist Caleb O’Connor and erected in 2019, shows a more contemporary Minerva, a muscular woman in a modern dress. Her figure was based on several dancers from the university, O’Conner said.
University of Alabama seal, depicting Minerva, seen on a 2022 graduation photo. (Courtesy of University of Alabama)
The sculpture was created as part of the city of Tuscaloosa’s bicentennial celebration, along with a timeline at her base. The timeline, which depicts the Warrior River flowing nearby, was created by artist Craig Wedderspoon.
The permanent installation is located at the Park at Manderson Landing. According to Deidre Stalnaker with the UA Media Relations Department, the sculpture was funded by an anonymous donor as a gift to the city and the university.
The bronze Minerva rises 30 feet above the ground on a stainless-steel arch. She appears to be running as an owl flies from her upstretched hand.
The piece, which was cast in Italy, weighs more than 9,500 pounds. O’Connor, who was born in Hawaii, has a studio in Tuscaloosa.
“I hope each viewer will have a unique experience and see the sculpture as a symbol of progress through reflection, not only of our past but present and what we can do in the future,” the artist said in a press release. “The base of the sculpture is reflective so people can see themselves in the piece.”
READ MORE: This historic Tuscaloosa movie palace also served as city hall
This sculpture of the Roman Goddess Minerva and her owl represents wisdom. Artist Caleb O’Connor sculpted the work, which is displayed on a 30-foot arch at the Park at Manderson Landing on the University of Alabama Campus. (Courtesy of University of Alabama)
