It’s not every day you get to be a part of something truly groundbreaking. But last week, the unveiling of the Judge Tanya A. Gee statue at the West Columbia Riverwalk Amphitheater was a monumental event. As the artist behind the piece, I can honestly say it’s one of the most rewarding projects I’ve ever undertaken.
The connection to this project came full circle through a mutual friend, Kelsey Carter. Kelsey, as you might know, is part of the dynamic duo behind Camp Cole in Columbia, SC. In 2020, she came to me with the desire to have a sculpture of her brother, Cole, whom the camp is named after. Cole died at a young age from childhood leukemia and inspired his sister to take up the cause for this camp. We installed the sculpture in 2021.
Years ago, Kelsey did some babysitting for Tanya Gee’s children. Chris Koon, Judge Gee’s husband, was familiar with the sculpture of Cole. And when Chris came up with the idea of creating a permanent tribute to his late wife, Kelsey connected us.
Judge Gee’s story is one of remarkable dedication and a life well-lived. She was a force to be reckoned with in the courtroom – a brilliant legal mind with a deep sense of compassion. But beyond that, she was a pillar of the community, someone who touched the lives of so many.
Tanya battled cancer for many years. And after she ultimately succumbed to the terrible disease, Chris wanted a memorial that would truly capture the essence of his wife. He provided me with photos taken of Judge Gee overlooking the ocean – an impromptu photo session that really made Judge Gee shine. As Chris said during the unveiling, “she just looked cool.”
While the ocean photos were the starting point, my goal was to capture a moment of peace and a life of joy. These elements are easier to memorialize in text than in bronze. But nonetheless this was the objective. I began with drawings to see how closely Tanya’s family wanted to resemble the reference photo.
They decided to keep the pose of the sculpture very similar to that of the photograph…with one small change. Chris asked that she be barefoot. He wanted her to look as though she had just taken a seat in nature after an afternoon stroll along the river.
After making a miniature version of the sculpture (a maquette), I began working on the large piece. It took several months of pressing clay into the shape of arms and legs, and carving the folds of her clothes and the movement of her hair.
The final location of the statue held a special significance. Mayor Tem Miles and Chris both agreed that the West Columbia Riverwalk was the perfect spot. They knew Judge Gee loved spending time by the river, and placing her statue overlooking it felt like a way to bring her spirit closer to a place she cherished.
The end result is a life-size bronze sculpture that captures Judge Gee’s strength and kindness. The feedback from the dedication ceremony has been overwhelming. Chris, in particular, expressed his gratitude for how accurately the statue portrayed his wife. He said it truly captured her soul, her gentle gaze, and the intelligence that shone in her eyes.
What’s even more exciting is that I learned that this sculpture of Judge Gee is the ONLY bronze statue of a female judge in the state of South Carolina. While that is shocking, it’s equally as awesome that I’m able to be the first to give that to our wonderful state. Chris said it right when he said he hopes his wife’s statue will inspire future generations of women to pursue careers in law.
This project has been a privilege, a reminder of the power of art to create lasting tributes and celebrate remarkable individuals.