Robert Graham

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Profession :

Sculptor

Birthday :

August 19, 1938

Star Sign :

Leo

Death Date:

December 27, 2008

Age :

70

Birthplace :

Mexico

Robert Graham was an American sculptor known for his monumental bronze sculptures. His most famous works include the “Olympic Gateway” at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and “Fountain Figures” at the Franklin D. Murphy Sculpture Garden in UCLA. Graham also designed the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum’s “Wheel of Conscience” and the “Joe Louis Memorial” in Detroit. He received numerous awards throughout his career, including the National Medal of Arts in 1998.

Robert Graham was born in Mexico City in 1938 to a Peruvian mother and an American father. He spent most of his childhood in San Jose, California and attended San Jose State University. Graham earned a graduate degree in sculpture from the San Francisco Art Institute in 1964. His early works were mostly figurative and drew inspiration from ancient Mesoamerican and Peruvian cultures. Graham is best known for his monumental bronze sculptures, which often depict the human figure in dynamic poses. Some of his most famous works include the “Olympic Gateway” at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and “Fountain Figures” at the Franklin D. Murphy Sculpture Garden in UCLA. In addition to his public sculptures, Graham also designed private commissions, including the tomb of Johnny Ramone at Hollywood Forever Cemetery. The sculptor passed away in 2008.

Robert Graham was known for his striking appearance: he sported a bushy beard, often wore a cowboy hat, and occasionally dressed in all leather. He was also an avid motorcycle enthusiast and collector, and owned a number of vintage motorcycles throughout his life.