Day 15 Black History 2021 - Selma Burke
Selma Burke (December 31, 1900 – August 29, 1995)
For day 15 of Black History Month, we’d like to highlight Selma Burke, an American artist, sculptor and educator, who was a part of the Harlem Renaissance movement.
She is self-described as “a people’s sculptor” and created many public pieces of art that focused on prominent African American figures such as, Duke Ellington, Mary McLeod Bethune and Booker T. Washington (pictured).
One of the works she is best known for, is her portrait in bronze of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, which she competed in a national competition, for an opportunity to do the sculpture. Although the image of Franklin D. Roosevelt on the dime, is official attributed to U.S. Mint Chief Engraver John Sinnock, many, including Selma Burke, claim Sinnock’s depiction of the President, “borrows” from her work.
In 1980, at the age of 80, her final work would be a 9-foot bronze statue of Martin Luther King Jr. which stands at Marshall Park in Charlotte, North Carolina.
“…he wiggled too much when I began to sketch him that day. I told him to sit still and he did.” – Selma Burke, when asked about sketching the President (paraphrased)
For day 15 of Black History Month, we’d like to highlight Selma Burke, an American artist, sculptor and educator, who was a part of the Harlem Renaissance movement.
She is self-described as “a people’s sculptor” and created many public pieces of art that focused on prominent African American figures such as, Duke Ellington, Mary McLeod Bethune and Booker T. Washington (pictured).
One of the works she is best known for, is her portrait in bronze of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, which she competed in a national competition, for an opportunity to do the sculpture. Although the image of Franklin D. Roosevelt on the dime, is official attributed to U.S. Mint Chief Engraver John Sinnock, many, including Selma Burke, claim Sinnock’s depiction of the President, “borrows” from her work.
In 1980, at the age of 80, her final work would be a 9-foot bronze statue of Martin Luther King Jr. which stands at Marshall Park in Charlotte, North Carolina.
“…he wiggled too much when I began to sketch him that day. I told him to sit still and he did.” – Selma Burke, when asked about sketching the President (paraphrased)