The Art Institute of Chicago’s Legends and Legacy Award: Richard Hunt on Richard Hunt

“"Richard is the real deal a true independent spirit deeply rooted in his home turf, yet, like a kind of vulcan at his forge, sending forth metal incarnations of human striving and transcendence sending them like the mighty abstract sparks far and wide."”

“"I first saw a story about Richard in one of those picture magazines when I was a younger teenager. It was the first time I'd ever seen a Black artist featured in any of those publications and I never forgot it. He's been someone I've looked up to ever since."”

“"He is simply a superhero among American artist. Sculpt-activists. There I just spontaneously invented a new word trying to explain this man's meaning to me, mic drop."”

“"He was an inspiration to me, he was a mentor, and in my eyes he was a warrior who smashed the barriers that kept artists of color from moving toward their goals."”

“"I have such profound respect for you and your insistence on working with such dedication and perseverance."”

“"For me to be able to work in Richard's studio and see the master work was such a special moment that helped set a foundation for my life and success."”

“"The sheer hard work and intelligence of his artistic practice will resonate as one of the archetypal legacies of American sculpture."”

“"What a rare, rare, sweet yet fierce man, lifted as he climbed, a gift to generations, a dear soul, Richard Hunt."”

“"Richard Hunt is a kind of superhero of sculpture, one of the hardest working artists of all time, clearly a master metal worker still crushing it in his 80s."”