Sculptor Ruth Abernethy's new book features work with Saskatchewan connection

Renowned Canadian sculptor Ruth Abernethy has released a new book titled Life andBronze: A Sculptor's Journal,which features one ofher sculptures with a Saskatchewan connection.

That sculpture, unveiled in Octoberat Science World in Vancouver,features scientists James Till and Ernest McCulloch. Till was born in Lloydminster, Sask., and attended the University of Saskatchewan. The duo conducted groundbreaking stem cell research.

To prepare for creating the sculpture of the duo, Abernethy immersedherself in the lives of her subjects.

"With the portraits, I actually wanted to portray their partnership. Because that's in essence what it was," Abernethytold CBC Radio'sSaskatchewan Weekend.

She describes the scientists as "two oddly incongruous men who were quite committed to working together."

When it comes to their partnership, Abernethy said it was not as much about shared interests or experiences, but was a friendship founded on the idea, "This person helps me feed the world in a different way."

"That kind of exchange is rich, 'I can see the world a different way through your eyes'.' That was the kind of partnership I wanted to portray," said Abernethy.

Devotion to subjects

Through immersing herself in the lives of her subjects, Abernethy forms a specific type of connection with them.

"It's devotion. When you've stared at somebody's face for that long, you become devoted to them," she said.

"I mean, that's how we bond with our children, but we don't actually bond that way with very many people."

Abernethy decided to create her book after a clientinsisted she do so.

"I felt that the body of work now could conjure conversations, and provoke discussions," she said.

"It was important for me, I think, to share the process and the legacies."

Abernethy is currently working on a sculpture of Queen Elizabeth II, tentatively set to be unveiled in 2017.