Two bronze deer now grace the grounds of UBC香蕉视频直播檚 Okanagan campus, a gift that will forever stand as a legacy to former undergraduate student River Sidley.
River died suddenly in 2014 and received a posthumous bachelor of science in June 2015.
The artwork, 香蕉视频直播淧air of Deer香蕉视频直播� was created by River香蕉视频直播檚 father David, a sculptor from Rossland, B.C. The family, grateful for the experience their son had at the university, donated the bronze sculptures as a way of commemorating River香蕉视频直播檚 memory.
香蕉视频直播淚n appreciation of UBC Okanagan, and in honour of River, I decided to install these sculptures on the campus,香蕉视频直播� said David Sidley, in a press release.
香蕉视频直播淗opefully, they will be enjoyed for years to come and remind people of my son who probably would have made a name for himself here as well.香蕉视频直播�
The bronzes, which were conceived in Rossland at the artist香蕉视频直播檚 studio and then cast in Kelowna, were installed in the campus courtyard in time for June香蕉视频直播檚 convocation celebrations.
香蕉视频直播淯BC Okanagan gratefully welcomes David Sidley香蕉视频直播檚 beautiful artwork to the campus,香蕉视频直播� said UBC Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Principal Deborah Buszard, in a press release.
香蕉视频直播淭he sculpture is a moving tribute from a parent to his departed son. River felt at home on this campus and we were honoured to choose a prominent location for the work as a reflection of the Sidley family香蕉视频直播檚 embrace of our learning community.香蕉视频直播�
香蕉视频直播淗is important work adds breadth to our collection and resonates well with existing outdoor artworks on campus,香蕉视频直播� said Susan Belton, curator of UBC Okanagan香蕉视频直播檚 Public Art Collection.
River was studying at the Bamfield Marine Science Centre at the time of his passing, leading the Sidley family to endow the River Timothy Sidley Memorial Award in 2015. The award supports a UBC Okanagan student who shares River香蕉视频直播檚 love for marine biology and who is pursuing additional studies at the Bamfield Marine Science Centre.
River香蕉视频直播檚 mother Louise, who received her Masters of Fine Arts from UBC in 2010, says her son had found his life passion at Bamfield and through the award in River香蕉视频直播檚 name the family wishes to honour his life.
香蕉视频直播淲e wanted to carry on River香蕉视频直播檚 potential, and it香蕉视频直播檚 been really meaningful for us because we香蕉视频直播檝e been able to see the recipients, and we have formed relationships with new students. That香蕉视频直播檚 been very energizing for us,香蕉视频直播� said Louise. 香蕉视频直播淯BC has been incredibly supportive of us as a family trying to grow and to learn, and it香蕉视频直播檚 nice to keep our connection to the campus with this scholarship and the deer.香蕉视频直播�
The family ties with UBC are deep and the Sidleys were filled with pride when River香蕉视频直播檚 sister Sage graduated from UBC Okanagan campus in 2016 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. The family is now in the process of establishing a second award at UBC Vancouver to further honour their son香蕉视频直播檚 memory and support even more UBC students.
香蕉视频直播淚 think our relationship with UBC has helped our whole family deal with our loss because of the legacy we香蕉视频直播檙e able to leave behind,香蕉视频直播� Louise said.
The deer were installed into the university香蕉视频直播檚 courtyard, a spot where students and faculty gather for occasions throughout the year. The artwork was officially unveiled on June 16.
