Renowned Chicago-born sculptor Richard Hunt dies at age 88

By: Camille Sarabia

Posted: Dec 16, 2023 9:12 PM EST

NOW: Renowned Chicago-born sculptor Richard Hunt dies at age 88

CHICAGO, Ill. - Renowned sculptor Richard Hunt (1935-2023) passed away in his Chicago home, Saturday, at the age of 88.

The Chicago-native, who spent much of his time at his Benton Harbor studio, was a forager of techniques, ranging from welding metal to anatomical lithography drawings.

As descendant of slaves brought through a port in Savannah, Georgia, his father was a barber and his mother the first Black librarian in Chicago, Hunt used his family's history as inspiration, crafting an extensive collection of African Art.

His love and legacy of art also presses to the future.

Hunt's continued partnership with Krasl Art Studio in Benton Harbor furthers his life's legacy through his art that's touched so many lives.

Hunt, who donated his Benton Harbor studio to Krasl in August, was excited to donate the space for community outreach.

He was seen as "one of the most admired sculptors of his generation," said James Rondeau, the President and Director of the Art Institute of Chicago and Barack Obama has been "a huge admirer of his work for a long time."

Hunt passed away peacefully, according to his obituary, and is survived by his daughter, Cecilia, a fellow artist, and his sister Marian, a retired librarian.

View a slideshow of his past work:

Richard Hunt, Study for Richmond Cycle, 1977, soldered, bolted, and burnished copper with wood edging, 19 x 60 ³⁄₄ x 24 ³⁄₄ in. (48.3 x 154.3 x 62.9 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the General Services Administration, Art-in-Architecture Program, 1977.47.14, © 1977, Richard Hunt

Richard Hunt, (Untitled), 1972, lithograph on paper, sheet: 13 ¹⁄₈ x 10 in. (33.2 x 25.5 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Dr. Frederick P. Nause and Rebecca Nause, 1973.176.10

Richard Hunt, "The greatest obstacle to being heroic is the doubt whether one may not be going to prove one's self a fool; the truest heroism, is to resist the doubt; and the profoundest wisdom, to know when it ought to be resisted, and when to be obeyed."--Nathaniel , 1975, chromed and welded steel, 32 x 50 ⁵⁄₈ x 33 ³⁄₄ in. (81.3 x 128.7 x 85.8 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Container Corporation of America, 1984.124.122