Richard Hunt is considered one of the most important African American sculptors of the 20th and 21st centuries. Now, the Chicago native can add another honor to his stellar career.
is considered one of the most important African American sculptors of the 20th and 21st centuries.
Hunt grew up on Chicago’s South Side. His passion for art goes back as far as he can remember – eventually leading him to the Junior School of the Art Institute of Chicago in the 1950s.“Get up and go into the studio, paint, and sculpt – do what you can to make people familiar and knowledgably about what it is you’re doing,” Hunt said.
No matter where his pieces end up, Hunt’s studio has remained since 1971 in the Lincoln Park community – on Lill Avenue.While the art in Hunt’s studio remarkable, the studio space is even more unbelievable – it used to be a Chicago Railway Systems electrical substation the early 20th century. “I have been a huge admirer of your work for a long time, and Michelle has as well,” former President Obama told Hunt in a video call released by the Obama Foundation recently.“It feels good. I’m glad they came to me instead of someone else,” Hunt said. “I’m looking forward to seeing this, nine feet tall and sitting in front of the library.”