Artist of the day: Artist of the day, September 11: Michael Richards, American sculptor, 9-11 victim.

Monday, September 11, 2017

Artist of the day, September 11: Michael Richards, American sculptor, 9-11 victim.

Michael Rolando Richards (August 2, 1963-September 11, 2001) was a Jamaican-American sculptor whose works frequently explored African American themes. Born in Jamaica, Richards earned his master's at New York University. He was an artist-in-residence at the Studio Museum in Harlem in 1996 and showed his work there in "Passages" in 1999.In 2000, Michael received an FSP/Jerome Fellowship at Franconia Sculpture Park (Minnesota). During his residency he created the sculpture “Are You Down?” It’s a multi-layered artwork that raises awareness of the Tuskegee Airmen’s impact on World War II and the history of achieving civil rights for African-Americans.

After working at Franconia, Michael was selected as artist-in-residence for ‘World Views’, Lower Manhattan Cultural Council’s residency program in the World Trade Center. Michael was working in his studio during the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center.

In order to honor Michael Richards’s life and legacy, the staff and Board of Directors at Franconia Sculpture Park have discussed ways to make the artwork permanently on display at the park. Rubber molds were taken off of the original work in order for it to be recreated in bronze, which is an archival material. Hundreds of hours of volunteer time went into restoring “Are You Down?”. The East Central Regional Arts Council provided two grants of $15,000 each to help fund the project and we launched a Kickstarter project to raise the additional $14,603 to help with the remaining costs and installation.

In “Are You Down?” three parachutists who have fallen from the sky sit disconsolate on the ground in what appear to be puddles of tar.

“Are You Down?” is composed of three life-sized human figures, cast from Richards’ own face and body. They represent three downed aviators from the all-black Tuskegee Airmen’s Squadron of the Second World War. John Hock (director of Franconia Sculpture Park) says the work speaks not only of the exhilaration of flight but also of the dreams of freedom that have crashed to the ground.

During his tragically short career, Richards’ work challenged oppression and addressed issues of social injustice. Are You Down? is a multi-layered sculpture that raises awareness of the Tuskegee Airmen’s impact on World War II and the history of achieving civil rights for African Americans. The sculpture not only memorializes and preserves Richards’ artistic legacy, but also carries with it the weight of this pivotal moment in U.S. history.

This is the first permanent installation at Franconia Sculpture Park. Normally the park’s exhibition is constantly changing. However Hock says Richards’ death was significant both for the immediate community and the country, and merits this remembrance.