Carl Gorman, one of the original Navajo CodeTalkers in World War II
Growing up the son of gregarious and noteworthy sculptor/businessman Tommy Hicks, I talk of my childhood and of being raised in the most respected fine art foundry in America as though it were perfectly normal. Listeners often respond that I should write a book. Don't worry, I'm no author but I do find it a welcome pastime.
Recently, Tommy and I were talking about a sculpture he has in his private collection when he told me he wanted to sell it after owning it for many years. It is the bust of R.C. Gorman's father, Carl.
R.C lived in Taos, and Tommy had sculpture in a gallery there while we still lived in Amarillo. On Ledoux St. I think. Once we moved to New Mexico, Tommy quickly met R.C. and began a personal and professional friendship with him. One day, Tommy gave R.C. a sculpture as a gift.
Later, R.C. wanted to honor his father, Carl Gorman, who was one of the original World War II CodeTalkers, by sculpting a rare (for R.C.) lifelike portrait bust of him. Northern Arizona University commissioned an enlarged casting from the bust and dedicated the larger version in an ASU Centennial celebration in 1995. When Shidoni finished the enlargement/molding/casting job for R.C, he gave Tommy the bronze we had used to enlarge the 4 ft. bust from. Tommy, also a WWII veteran, has always cherished his relationship with RC and has held the bust in his collection with reverence for Carl and the CodeTalkers ever since.
If you'd like to see this special sculpture, come out to Shidoni. I'd love to show it to you.
Mixing creative juice with a shot of logic. Shaken, not stirred.
7 年Beautiful story Scotty. I remember fondly the relationship between Tommy and R.C. (and some kinda crazy parties R.C. used to throw once upon a time in those old foundry days). R.C.'s dad Carl and my daughter's Great Great Uncle Chester Nez were in that group of the original Code Talkers together. Hug to Tommy.
Artist at Niman Fine Art
7 年cool story