Artist Focus: Jane DeDecker

Jane DeDecker has hit her stride in honoring the historic significance of women’s achievements through sculptural form. Throughout her career she has commemorated the accomplishments of over 35 trail blazers like: Amelia Earhart, Emily Dickenson, Harriett Tubman, Ida B. Wells, Alice Paul, Susan B. Anthony, Sojourner Truth, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Hellen Keller, and Laura Cornelius Kellogg--this list just scratches the surface of the league of women she has brought into her life and her studio. These women were there to bear witness and bear the burden of discrimination and doubt in their abilities because of their gender. Against insurmountable odds these champions accomplished groundbreaking achievements. Currently Jane has over 15 sculptures of sentinel women (in various stages of completion) gracing her studio. And there is always room for more.

Cities and special interest groups across the nation have been commissioning Jane to capture and honor their local unsung heroine and icons. Until now many of these women were merely forgotten and rarely mentioned but in footnotes. DeDecker’s latest commission debut is an homage to 4 giants in the civil rights movement titled “Ripples of Change” for Seneca Falls, NY. As described by Jane “Each of these women has their own individual connection to Seneca Falls as well as their unified dedication to women’s suffrage…Each answers their own call to effect change, and yet their individual efforts merge into a coalesced movement that promotes, honors and expands the rights of women.” Claggett/Rey Gallery is proud to represent Jane’s collection of historic women and if your community is ready to tell the story of a local legend, we can help you make that story come to fruition.