Ronald McDowell
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Ronald Scott McDowell, internationally known painter and sculptor, is Tuskegee’s “Artist in Residence”. His works, many of which are commissioned, are exhibited in private and institutional galleries and include illustrations, portraits, murals and sculptures. Portraits include those of such well-known persons as a Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley and Lionel Richie. McDowell and his works have been featured in national magazines and newspapers, on television programs and in public appearances.
McDowell’s art is on continuous display in Birmingham. Most notable is his 13-foot tall statue in Kelly Ingram Park. “The Foot Soldier” is a memorial to the unsung heroes of the Civil Rights Movement. It depicts a young boy withstanding a bite of a snarling police dog accompanied by an unsympathetic police officer. McDowell is currently preparing a new lifelike bronze statue of “The Four Little Girls” to be unveiled as part of civil rights anniversary commemoration activities later this year. Some of McDowell’s paintings of famous Alabamians are on loan from the Smithsonian and on display at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute through February. In the recent past, McDowell has completed a colorful masterpiece of over 100 entertainers, now part of a newly renovated California creative arts center. His sculpture – “Phenomenal Woman” – was presented by Oprah Winfrey to her friend and mentor Maya Angelou at a national convention. Future works include the publication of a book featuring more than 300 photographs of his art and an artistic work in progress is being designed for Harry Belafonte. |
This page was created by Desyanae Franklin.
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