Fifty-eight years after beginning her college career at UNM, Betty Sabo, 75, returned on Monday.
The dedication of her sculpture, "Modern Art," on the Cornell Mall marked the end of a contract she signed with the University four years ago.
Seven statues of passers-by stand frozen in thought around a stainless-steel centerpiece described by one onlooker as a "fractured Coke can." The artist said the piece is a comment on the public's reaction to modern art.
After four years of anticipation, the unveiling of the statues Monday afternoon brought to a close the process of replacing the area's former stone fountain and continued construction around the SUB.
The piece was installed earlier this summer and was the product of work from many individuals and departments across campus, said Roger Lujan, director of UNM's Facility and Planning Department.
"This is the beginning of the next and very wonderful chapter in the history and development of UNM," Lujan said.
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Planning for the project began in 2000 when UNM administration discussed commissioning a major interactive art piece by a local artist, said Gil Berry, associate director of Facility and Planning.
"Betty was chosen to submit a proposal by the Arts and Public Places Committee as well as the President's Council," he said.
Since the art was purchased by UNM, there was not an open competition for the job. Rather, Sabo was asked to create a maquette, or design proposal, because of her many contributions to the University and Albuquerque community, Berry said.
Sabo studied art at UNM in the late 1940s when contemporary art was beginning to come on the scene.
She was a well-known painter before she began creating bronzes in her mid-60s, some of which are featured at the Albuquerque Biological Park's Botanical Gardens and the Albuquerque Museum.
The dedication drew both fans and friends of the artist, as well as President Louis Caldera and other campus administrators. The available seating for about 50 was quickly filled, leaving the overflow crowd to stand and watch.
Karen Abraham, director of UNM's alumni office said though her office did not have a hand in choosing Sabo to create the work, they were very pleased she was chosen.
"Betty has been such a wonderful player in the Albuquerque community, and I think it is a real tribute to her that the University wanted her to do the project," Abraham said.
The project is the latest addition to UNM's public art collection, which according to Berry now has over 40 pieces.
The artist, whose brother Gary Beals is also a UNM alum, created the stainless-steel centerpiece.
Sabo said she is very happy one of her pieces is now a part of UNM's campus.
"UNM made me what I am today," Sabo said. "I never dreamed in my wildest moment that I would have a piece of art at UNM. It's probably the greatest thing that has happened to me."
