Home / Arts and Entertainment / Self-Taught Artist Finds Global Acclaim at 92
Self-Taught Artist Finds Global Acclaim at 92
7 Mar
Summary
- Mosley created sculptures from reclaimed wood for nearly 70 years.
- He gained international attention at age 92.
- His work was influenced by Brancusi, Noguchi, and African art.
Self-taught artist Thaddeus Mosley, renowned for his abstract sculptures crafted from reclaimed wood, died on Friday at his Pittsburgh home. He was 99.
Mosley spent nearly 70 years developing his distinctive artistic style. His journey began in the mid-1950s, inspired by decorative teak birds. He progressed to carving small figures and then larger, textured biomorphic shapes from discarded trees, influenced by modernist masters Constantin Brancusi and Isamu Noguchi, and pre-modern African tribal sculpture.
Despite early interest from gallerists in the late 1960s, Mosley remained in Pittsburgh to support his family, continuing his work daily. His breakthrough moment arrived in 2018, at age 92, when he was featured in the 57th Carnegie International exhibition.
This late-in-life recognition led to numerous opportunities, including exhibitions at Karma gallery, a traveling show titled "Thaddeus Mosley: Forest," and appearances at prestigious venues like the Seattle Art Museum and the Whitney. In 2022, he received the Isamu Noguchi Award.
