Terry Adkins facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Terry Adkins
Born	Terry Roger Adkins May 9, 1953 Washington, D.C.
Died	February 8, 2014 Brooklyn, New York
Nationality	American
Education	Fisk University (B.S.), Illinois State University (M.S.), University of Kentucky (M.F.A.)
Known for	American artist, Professor of Fine Arts in the School of Design at the University of Pennsylvania
Awards	2009 Rome Prize 2008 USA Fellows

Terry Roger Adkins (May 9, 1953 – February 8, 2014) was an amazing American artist. He was also a professor who taught art at the University of Pennsylvania. Terry Adkins was known for creating unique sculptures, performances, and other artworks that often celebrated music and history.

Terry Adkins' Early Life

Terry Adkins was born in Washington, D.C., on May 9, 1953. He grew up in a family that loved music. His father, Robert H. Adkins, was a chemistry teacher who sang and played the organ. His mother, Doris Jackson, was a nurse who played the clarinet and piano.

Terry's family had many interesting members. His uncle, Dr. Rutherford Adkins, was a Tuskegee Airman. These brave pilots fought in World War II. Later, his uncle became the president of Fisk University.

How Terry Adkins Became an Artist

When Terry was young, he first wanted to be a musician. But during college, he started to love visual art more and more. He studied with famous artists like Aaron Douglas.

Terry earned his first degree in printmaking from Fisk University. Then, he got more degrees from Illinois State University and the University of Kentucky. He earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in sculpture.

Terry Adkins' Art Career

Terry Adkins was a very creative artist who worked in many different ways. He made sculptures, put on performances, and created videos and photographs. His art often got ideas from musicians or musical instruments.

Sometimes, his art shows were called "recitals." This is a word usually used for music concerts. Terry would even "activate" his sculptures in live performances. He did this with his special group called the Lone Wolf Recital Corps.

The Lone Wolf Recital Corps

Terry led the Lone Wolf Recital Corps. They performed their unique works in many places around the world. These places included the ICA in London and the MoMA PS1 in New York.

Art Inspired by History

Many of Terry Adkins' artworks were about people from history. He often focused on figures who were not very well-known. For example, his 2011 show Nutjuitok (Polar Star) was about Matthew Henson. Henson was a Black Arctic explorer who reached the North Pole with Robert Peary.

Terry also explored small details about famous people. He made art about the African American writer W.E.B. Du Bois. His installation Darkwater Record (2003–2008) was inspired by Du Bois's speech about "Socialism and the American Negro."

Where Terry Adkins' Art Was Shown

Terry Adkins' art has been shown in museums and galleries all over the world. You can find his work in important collections. These include the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York and the Tate Modern in London.

In 2012, a big show of his work called "Recital" happened at the Tang Teaching Museum at Skidmore College. His art was also shown at MoMA PS1 in Queens, New York.

Notable Exhibitions

Terry Adkins' art was featured in many exhibitions over the years.

• In 1986, his art was shown in Zurich, Switzerland.
• In 1987, it was shown in London, England.
• In 1995, he had work at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York.
• In 1997, his art was at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.
• In 1999, he had a show at the Institute of Contemporary Art at the University of Pennsylvania.
• In 2006, his work "Darkwater" was shown at Gallery 51 in Massachusetts. This piece celebrated W.E.B. Du Bois.
• In 2008, he was part of the NeoHooDoo exhibition at MoMA PS1. This show looked at ritual and spirituality in art.
• In 2009, he showed work at the American Academy in Rome, Italy.
• In 2013, his art was in the Radical Presence exhibition in Houston.
• In 2014, his work was featured in the Whitney Biennial in New York City. His solo show "Nenuphar" also opened that year.
• In 2015, a sculpture he made from musical instruments was shown at the Venice Biennale.

"Nenuphar" Exhibition

The "Nenuphar" exhibition in 2014 featured many sculptures and mixed media artworks by Terry Adkins. This show was held at the Salon 94 gallery in New York City. It explored the surprising links between two very different men: Yves Klein, a French artist, and George Washington Carver. Carver was born into slavery but became a famous scientist, inventor, and educator. He was also a musician and painter.

Terry Adkins' deep research showed connections between these two men through botany, music, and the sea. His art made people think about how different ideas can come together in interesting ways.

"Meteor Stream" Exhibition

"Meteor Stream" was another important exhibition by Terry Adkins. It was shown at the American Academy in Rome. This show was the end of a ten-year project about John Brown, an important figure in the fight against slavery in the 1800s.

For this project, Terry worked with people in different communities across the United States. He found new objects and added them to his art installations. The show created a powerful story that mixed history with deeper meanings.

Awards Terry Adkins Received

Terry Adkins was recognized for his amazing art.

• 2009 Rome Prize
• 2008 USA Fellows

Terry Adkins' Death and Legacy

Terry Adkins passed away in Brooklyn, New York, in February 2014. He was 60 years old. He was married to Merele Williams and had two children, Titus Hamilton Adkins and Turiya Hamlet Adkins.

At the University of Pennsylvania, Terry Adkins was a wonderful teacher and mentor. He helped many young artists learn and grow. His work and his teaching continue to inspire artists today.