Renowned sculptor Richard Hunt, known for his towering public art, passed away at 88. Shaped by the funeral of Emmett Till, he experimented with welding and forged discarded materials into art. His work, blending classical techniques with unconventional methods, led to over 160 public installations across the US. His legacy is commemorated by President Barack Obama and Chicago's mayor.
Richard Hunt, a renowned sculptor known for his towering metalwork in American public art, passed away at the age of 88 in Chicago. His career was influenced by the funeral of Emmett Till, a young Black Chicagoan who was brutally killed in Mississippi. Hunt's sculptures, blending classical techniques with self-taught welding, drew early acclaim, with the Museum of Modern Art purchasing one of his works while he was still a student. Over the years, Hunt's work has been displayed across the country, including at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture and Chicago's Midway International Airport. His impact on the art world and his city was profound, with former President Barack Obama hailing him as "one of the greatest artists Chicago ever produced." Born in Chicago in 1935, Hunt's interest in art began at a young age, and he continued to create and supervise sculptors well into his later years. His final piece was a sculptural model for a monument to Emmett Till, which will be completed by other sculptors and displayed outside Till's childhood home. Hunt's legacy lives on through his daughter, Cecilia, and his sister, Marian, as well as the numerous public art installations that continue to inspire and captivate audiences across the country.
Richard Hunt, a renowned sculptor known for his towering metalwork in American public art, passed away at the age of 88 in Chicago. His career was influenced by the funeral of Emmett Till, a young Black Chicagoan who was brutally killed in Mississippi. Hunt's sculptures, blending classical techniques with self-taught welding, drew early acclaim, with the Museum of Modern Art purchasing one of his works while he was still a student. Over the years, Hunt's work has been displayed across the country, including at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture and Chicago's Midway International Airport. His impact on the art world and his city was profound, with former President Barack Obama hailing him as "one of the greatest artists Chicago ever produced." Born in Chicago in 1935, Hunt's interest in art began at a young age, and he continued to create and supervise sculptors well into his later years. His final piece was a sculptural model for a monument to Emmett Till, which will be completed by other sculptors and displayed outside Till's childhood home. Hunt's legacy lives on through his daughter, Cecilia, and his sister, Marian, as well as the numerous public art installations that continue to inspire and captivate audiences across the country.