"Explorer"
Ten times Life-size, 8.5 foot tall, 3/4 ton bronze sculpture of Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable, known as the Founder of Chicago. Created 2018-2023. Cast in Silicon Bronze in the sculptor's own foundry facility near Chicago.
A project of Erik Blome's Figurative Art Studio LLC and traveling exhibition honoring the City of Chicago's roots and the sculptor's birthplace. Derived from the original sculpture of Chicago's first non-indigenous settler and explorer created by the artist in 2009 for Michigan Avenue's Magnificent Mile.
Jean Baptiste DuSable was a fur trader, and owned a trading post at the foot of the Chicago River, explored Michigan, Illinois and Missouri, married a Potowatami woman named Kitihawa, and was married at Cahokia Mounds near St Louis. He spent his later years in St Charles Missouri running a ferry boat until he died there.
Media Links:
NBC Channel 5
Chicago Tribune/Pioneer Press
Evanston RoundTable
Daily Northwestern
City of Evanston
Fullersburg Historical Society
Evanstonian
St Ignace News
The perfect location, "Explorer" spent 18 months gazing from in front of the Evanston Public Library in Evanston IL just north of Chicago. Many special thanks to the City of Evanston and the Evanston Public Art Committee members who so warmly received it and promoted it!
In the studio prior to showing it in public...
"Explorer" spent two full summer seasons in Mackinaw City, MI next to the Fort Michilimackinac where he was imprisoned during his life thought to be a French Spy. A beautiful north woods setting. Big thank you to the City of Mackinaw City for assisting in its installation, coordinating an unveiling event and furthering the story.....
Exploring America....
Next stop for "Explorer" is magnificent St Charles, Missouri! Where DuSable ran a ferry boat for years until he died and was buried there. Thanks to St. Charles for hosting the "Explorer!"