By Matthew Perrino

WESTPORT–Adam and Eve have found their new paradise. Residents of Westport gathered for a ceremony on Tuesday celebrating the relocation of an iconic local sculpture, The Couple. In 1991, Susan Malloy—an artist, art collector, philanthropist, and passionate supporter of the arts and of the Westport community—commissioned artist William King to create the piece. The sculpture consists of two giant aluminum figures—a male at 12 feet, 4 inches tall and a female at 10 feet, 6 inches tall—standing side by side. King wanted to call the work Adam and Eve. They instead decided to name it The Couple. 

The Couple’s preservation and relocation were made possible through the efforts and support of the Westport Arts Advisory Committee (WAAC); Westport’s First Selectman, Kevin Christie; the town’s art curator, Kathie Bennewitz; and Susan’s family: her niece Ann Sheffer, her son Timon Malloy, and her granddaughter Meredith Combs McAlister. “This event, this moment, is just one of the things that make our town special,” said Christie. “It’s people who give generously in ways for future generations to enjoy.” 

Malloy’s family members were invited to speak and share memories of their late relative. Sheffer—a fellow art lover and philanthropist, and a founding member of WAAC—recounted her family’s storied history in Westport, which dates back to 1935. Sheffer also spoke about her aunt’s passionate love for art. “She painted a number of paintings with the motto underneath: ‘The art of living is living with art’,” she recalled. “That was really her motto.”

The Couple’s first home was in the backyard of Malloy’s Dogwood Lane estate. Her granddaughter, Combs McAlister, humorously recalled playing in the backyard in the presence of these towering figures. When Malloy died on April 14, 2015, at age 91, she bequeathed the sculptures to the town of Westport in her will. 

“When Susan’s estate donated The Couple to the town of Westport, we really didn’t have any place to put it,” recalled WAAC co-chair, Nancy Diamond. “Since Susan was a great supporter of Earthplace, we reached out, and they took it on.”

The Couple lived in Earthplace, a natural science museum, for 10 years, along with a number of Malloy’s artworks. Through the efforts of WAAC and the Malloy family, the sculpture was relocated to a more accessible and visible public home: Westport’s newly renovated Riverside Park. “My mom loved Westport,” said her son, Timon Malloy. “Her final gift to the town was these sculptures. I really appreciate that they’re now being given this feature placement in this lovely park.“ The Couple is an eye-catching addition to Riverside Park, where it will continue to represent Susan’s longstanding motto: ‘The art of living is living with art.’

Matthew Perrino

Matthew Perrino is a passionate writer and publishing professional. His pieces have covered entertainment, colleges and universities, and high profile figures. Aside from writing, he enjoys reading books, watching movies, playing with his two children, and finding delicious restaurants in Fairfield County and New York City.