Artists called to create likeness of Iowa's Norman Borlaug

Through his work in wheat science and plant breeding, Cresco native Norman Borlaug made history during the mid-20th century by increasing food production worldwide and saving billions from starvation.

Now, more than two years after Borlaug's death, an artist has the chance to be part of his legacy.

The state's Dr. Norman E. Borlaug Statue Committee on Friday issued a call to artists interested in designing, creating and delivering a statue of the “Father for the Green Revolution” to the U.S. Capitol Building's National Statuary Hall in Washington D.C.

Iowa lawmakers in March passed a resolution to honor Borlaug in the Capitol, where each state is allowed two statues of notable citizens. When the Borlaug statue is finished and delivered to Washington D.C., an effigy of James Harlan, which has stood in the Capitol since 1910 in honor of the former U.S. senator and secretary of the Interior, will come down, according to the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs.

As part of the resolution to memorialize Borlaug with a statue, Gov. Terry Branstad appointed a seven- member committee charged with overseeing the process. That group, which includes Cedar Rapids resident Dyan Smith, must commission an artist to capture Borlaug's likeness and facilitate its transport east.

“The committee looks forward to receiving artist proposals and working through the selection process,” according to World Prize Federation President Kenneth M. Quinn, chairman of the Borlaug Statue Committee.

Quinn said the group is hoping artists from around the world submit proposals to create a statue reflecting the global impact of Borlaug's life and work.

Borlaug, who died in 2009, was born on a farm near Cresco and later in life collaborated with scientists around the world to create and adapt new high-yield wheat varieties to new lands. Borlaug is among just a handful of people to win the Nobel Peace Prize, the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal.

Iowa lawmakers approved the Borlaug statue at the request of the World Food Prize, which Borlaug created.

The statue committee will accept artist proposals through Jan. 20, and finalists will be invited to Des Moines for interviews in March.

An artist will be chosen later that month and have until March 1, 2014 to design, create and deliver the statue to the Capitol, according to the Department of Cultural Affairs.

It's unclear what will happen to the Harlan statue once it's replaced, although Department of Cultural Affairs officials have said it could end up somewhere in the Capitol Complex. Borlaug's statue will join the likeness of Iowa's Gov. Samuel Kirkwood, who became famous during the Civil War.

Artist proposals should be sent to Jerome Thompson, Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, 600 E. Locust St., Des Moines, Iowa, 50319. Artists are encouraged to send copies of proposals to Jerome.thompson@iowa.gov.