Hunt Richard

Richard Hunt, born in Chicago on September 12, 1935, emerged as one of the most prominent sculptors in American history. Over seven decades, he created a legacy marked by innovation, resilience, and a profound impact on the art world. Despite facing the challenges of being an African-American artist, Hunt’s work is celebrated globally, with over 160 solo exhibitions and representation in more than 100 public museums.

Growing up in the culturally rich South Side of Chicago, Hunt was influenced by his father, a barber, and his mother, a renowned Black librarian. He immersed himself in the arts at the South Side Community Art Center and the Junior School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where his interest in African art took root.

Hunt, who attended the School of the Art Institute of Chicago on a scholarship, taught himself to weld in 1955. His talent quickly gained recognition when the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) acquired his sculpture “Arachne” just two years later. Hunt’s artistic expression was deeply influenced by witnessing the open-casket funeral of Emmett Till, a tragic event that fueled his commitment to civil rights and shaped his creative vision.

Inspired by the landmark exhibition “Sculpture of the Twentieth Century,” Hunt began experimenting with found metal objects, creating works of Cor-Ten steel, bronze, and stainless steel—a practice he maintained throughout his career. After studying in Europe and working at Florence’s Marinelli foundry, Hunt returned to the U.S. and held his first New York solo exhibition in 1958.

A pivotal moment came on March 16, 1960, when Hunt became the first African American served at the segregated Woolworth’s lunch counter in San Antonio, marking a significant step towards civil rights progress. Appointed by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1968, Hunt was the first African American visual artist to serve on the National Council on the Arts. His retrospective at MoMA in 1971 highlighted his contributions to the field.

Hunt’s monumental sculptures honor pivotal figures and events in African American history, including Martin Luther King Jr., and commemorate moments from the slave trade to the Great Migration. His work is celebrated in major institutions, with pieces like “Hero Construction” at the Art Institute of Chicago and “Swing Low” at the National Museum of African American History and Culture. In 2022, Hunt was commissioned by Barack Obama to create “Book Bird” for the Obama Presidential Center.

Throughout his career, Hunt championed artistic freedom, believing it was essential to his work. This dedication earned him 18 honorary degrees, professorships at prestigious universities, and over 30 major awards, including the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Fellowship. On April 24, 2023, Illinois First Lady MK Pritzker declared “Richard Hunt Day” in recognition of his contributions to art and society.

In his later years, Hunt completed a sculptural model for a monument to Emmett Till, to be installed at Till’s childhood home in Chicago, honoring both Till and the sculptor’s lifelong dedication to civil rights. Richard Hunt passed away peacefully in Chicago on December 16, 2023, leaving behind a towering legacy of creativity, courage, and cultural impact.