True North was thrilled to secure the iconic artist’s work for the 2021 Heights Boulevard sculpture project. David Adickes has been a vital part of the Houston art scene for over 65 years. A native of Huntsville, Texas, Adickes moved to Houston upon his completion of two years of art studies at the Atelier Fernand Leger in Paris. By the end of that year (1951), he had garnered a first-place finish and a one-man show at The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Longing to broaden his horizons even further—both geographically and artistically—Adickes expanded upon his world view with extended stays in France, a summer in Tahiti, and a two-year, around-the-world odyssey.
Photo courtesy of Kolanowski Studio
As a working artist, a professor of art with The University of Texas, and once even a night club proprietor—opening the Love Street Light Circus and Feel Good Machine in 1967 in the old Sunset Coffee Co. building on Commerce near Allen’s Landing as a hub for Houston’s psychedelic scene—Adickes’ biggest career break came in 1983 with the unveiling of “The Virtuoso,” his first monumental public sculpture. To this day, the whimsical 36-foot concrete sculpture of a semi-abstract cellist serves as a beacon to the Theater District of Houston. He later completed the renowned 76-foot statue of Sam Houston in Huntsville and the years that followed saw his name become synonymous with monumental sculpture with works such as “The Beatles” and “Charlie Chaplin” and of course the ambitious presidents’ busts project (each 15-18’ tall, their poignant journey written about in The New York Times Magazine, 2019).
Photo courtesy of Kolanowski Studio
In 2013, Adickes unveiled “We Love Houston”—its uplifting message and colorful design expressing not just his creativity, but the sense of joy that creativity brings. Adickes says, “My life has been devoted to creating paintings and sculpture which will last forever (or at least a very long time) and bring pleasure to those who see it, now and in the future.” Houston Chronicle’s Andrew Dansby writes that “Adickes may be the most visible artist in this region. His supersized Sam Houston looms off Interstate 45 in his hometown of Huntsville; his “Virtuoso” cellist remains an eye-catching piece in the downtown Theater District; and then there are those heads that resemble a cross between American history class and Easter Island.” Lifestyle, May 2021.
Photo courtesy of Kolanowski Studio
Anchoring the northern point of the True North 2021 exhibition, Adickes’ sculpture “Three Colorful Friendly Trees,” in his iconic style of brightly-painted cast concrete over steel armature, is ideal for the beautifully-forested and very friendly Heights Boulevard esplanade. “Three Colorful Friendly Trees” is offered for sale by the artist at $9,500, and Adickes and all True North artists will generously donate 20% of any sales back to the sculpture project.
