Born on the South side of Chicago in 1935 Richard Hunt would become one of the most influential and prolific metal sculptors in American history. Exposed to the cultural riches of the city at an early age, educated at the Art Institute of Chicago, He was the first African American artists to have a retrospective exhibit at the Museum of Contemporary Art at the age of 35. Despite challenges for African American artists during his lifetime, Hunt held over 160 solo exhibitions and is represented in more than 100 public museums across the globe. Hunt made the largest contribution to public sculpture in the United States, with more than 160 public commissions gracing prominent locations in 24 states and Washington, D.C. Mr. Hunt passed away in December of 2023.

At the age of 19, Hunt with his mother, attended the open-casket funeral of Emmett Till, who’s brutal and racist murder in Mississippi shocked the nation. He identified that experience as a turning point in his artistic life and before long he devoted himself to civil rights and creating art that would express the critical need for human freedom and social justice. "Sculpture is not a self-declaration but a voice of and for my people.”

This presentation will focus on that 70-year legacy of significant work in every decade till his death that represented his vision and aspiration for freedom and justice.

Authors:
Susan Wilczak, Lake Michigan College, United States

About the Presenter(s)
Currently Susan Wilczak Wood holds the position of Art Lecturer in the Arts Department at Lake Michigan College,Benton Harbor.
She has held the position of visiting Lecturer of Art History,at Hope College and Aquinas College.

See this presentation on the full schedule – Monday Schedule

Bookmark