Fred Shuttlesworth statue
The Fred Shuttlesworth statue is a sculpture depicting Birmingham Civil Rights leader Fred Shuttlesworth. It is located on 16th Street North near the entrance to the museum, facing Kelly Ingram Park.
Birmingham-born sculptor John Rhoden was commissioned by the City of Birmingham to create the work in May–June 1991. He wrote to Shuttlesworth from his Brooklyn home and studio on June 26 expressing his excitement about the project and requesting "photos and videos" from "the 1960s Freedom Rides" for his use, promising to reimburse any expenses and to protect and return the items on completion of the commission. He also asked if Shuttlesworth prefrred to be depicted in formal or informal attire, and walking or standing. Shuttlesworth ended up visiting Rhoden's studio and posing in person for the clay maquette of his head.
Shuttlesworth is depicted at life size in a striding pose. In accordance with his expressed wishes, he is depicted without a furrowed brow and with his hand open rather than clenched into a fist. The statue sits on a modest plinth with the following inscription:
Rev. Fred L. Shuttlesworth
Birmingham's Civil Rights Freedom Fighter
With singular courage he fired the
imagination and raised the hopes of
an oppressed people.
The bronze statue was cast at the Modern Art Foundry in Astoria, Queens. The finishing work was supervised by foreman Eric Bjorneboe. The statue was unveiled on November 14, 1992 during the dedication of the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. Both Rhoden and Shuttlesworth were present for the event.
A second granite marker gives the formal title of the work as "The Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth" and identifies the artist as a "native son of Birmingham."
References
- Spencer, Thomas (January 16, 2012) "Birmingham Unity Breakfast speakers invoke memories of MLK, Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth." The Birmingham News
External links
- Archival materials at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts