Tina Allen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tina Allen
|
|
|---|---|
Allen and her statue of Frederick Douglass
|
|
| Born |
Tina Powell
December 9, 1949 Hempstead, New York City
|
| Died | September 9, 2008 (aged 58) Los Angeles
|
| Education |
|
| Known for | Sculpture |
Tina Allen (born December 9, 1949 – died September 9, 2008) was an amazing American artist. She was famous for making large sculptures of important African American figures. These included people like Frederick Douglass, Sojourner Truth, and George Washington Carver.
Contents
Tina's Early Life and Learning
Tina Allen was born Tina Powell in Hempstead, New York, in 1949. Her dad, Gordon "Specs" Powell, was a jazz drummer. He even played in the famous Ed Sullivan Show band! Tina's mom, Rosecleer Powell, was a writer and a nurse. One of Tina's uncles was also a sculptor.
Tina started painting when she was just 5 years old. By the time she was 10, she was painting beautiful ocean scenes. She lived in Grenada, West Indies, until she was a teenager.
How Tina Became a Sculptor
Tina was a very artistic child. She began sculpting when she was 13. Her teacher asked her to make an ashtray, but Tina made a bust (a sculpture of a head and shoulders) of Aristotle instead! A famous sculptor named William Zorach saw her work. He said she was a "prodigy," meaning she had amazing talent at a young age.
Tina went to college and earned a degree in fine arts. She studied at the University of South Alabama and the School of Visual Arts. She also earned her master's degree from the Pratt Institute.
Art That Tells a Story
People often said Tina's art was "history in bronze." This is because she focused on important Black historical figures. She wanted to show their stories through her sculptures. Tina often focused on the Harlem Renaissance, a time when Black art and culture thrived.
She also created art that specifically honored Black men. Later, she turned her focus to celebrating Black women. After college, Tina volunteered for AmeriCorps VISTA. For several years, she hosted a local TV show about art in Mobile, Alabama.
Tina's Amazing Career
Tina Allen's first big sculpture was a nine-foot bronze statue. It honored A. Philip Randolph, a leader who fought for workers' rights. This sculpture was finished in 1986. You can see it at the Back Bay train station in Boston. It is also part of the Boston Women's Heritage Trail.
Sculpting History in Public Places
For the next 20 years, Tina kept making realistic sculptures. She created statues of Black activists for public spaces. Her art is also found in museums, companies, and private collections. Tina once said, "My work is not about me, it's about us."
She wanted her art to show the important contributions of African Americans. She also aimed to create art that made people of color feel proud and happy. Her sculptures celebrated the beauty of African Americans.
Famous Works by Tina Allen
One of her most famous works is a 13-foot bronze statue of Alex Haley. It was placed in Haley Heritage Square Park in Knoxville, Tennessee, in 1998. Her statue of George Washington Carver is a main feature at the George Washington Carver Garden. This garden is located at the Missouri Botanical Gardens in St. Louis.
Tina's 12-foot bronze statue of Sojourner Truth is in Memorial Park in Battle Creek, Michigan. Her bust of Frederick Douglass is at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. This sculpture was even in the movie Akeelah and the Bee!
Tina's art is also part of the permanent collections at the Schomburg Center for Black Culture. It is also at the African-American museum in Long Island, New York. Tina also made a bronze medal for the Women of Essence awards. These awards honor Black women who have achieved great things.
She also sculpted other famous people, including:
- Ralph Bunche
- Sammy Davis Jr.
- Charles R. Drew
- Marcus Garvey
- Martin Luther King Jr.
- Betty Shabazz
- Tupac Shakur
- Nat King Cole
- James Baldwin
- Dorothy Dandridge
Tina's Personal Life
Tina Allen was married twice and had three children. Their names were Koryan, Josephine, and Tara. She passed away on September 9, 2008, in Los Angeles. She died from a heart attack caused by problems from pneumonia.
