The completion of a bison sculpture created by local metal artist Bill Keen was made official this week with the final installation of a plaque at Moose Jaw Tourism site.
Previously, the life-sized steel bison sculpture was officially installed in late July 2023, and the site's landscaping and pathway work were completed in August.
In October of 2022, The City of Moose Jaw Public Art Committee, with approval from City Council acquired the bison sculpture covering material cost totalling $8,295.00 to honour the millions of bison that once roamed the Prairies — and their importance as a symbol of strength, resilience and cultural significance reflecting the region’s heritage.
After hundreds of hours of labour donated by Bill and Laurette Keen, the bison sculpture — welded in layers of steel and roughly six feet high and eight feet long brought this vision to life.
“The bison sculpture portrays the iconic American Bison in a powerful stance, symbolizing strength, unity, and protection,” stated the press release. “It serves as a tribute to the vast herds that once roamed North America's plains, highlighting their cultural and environmental importance …and also stands as a testament to the City’s commitment to preserving its unique history and the stunning landscapes that define our region.”
The creative process began with a skeletal structure of steel rods, followed by the meticulous application of six to eight layers of weld to achieve the desired finish. A remarkable 450 pounds of MIG .035 welding wire was used. To give the sculpture its natural appearance, it received two coats of oil[1]based primer for sealing and three coats of colored paint.
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