Baked red clay and wood preliminary sculpture of Barney Ford. There are three male figures representing three phases of Barney Ford's life: one standing on top of structure, a second figure kneeling while holding a gold pan, and on the opposite side a figure has a metal shackle on his proper right ankle and is sitting on a step while reading a book. The wood structure has multiple tiers and is painted light brown. There is a rectangular sheet of brass on the tall, narrow base behind reading figure.
The maquette was created for a bronze sculpture for the town of Breckenridge in 2007.
As a teenager, Emanuel Martinez spent time in a juvenile detention center where he first learned to express himself creatively. While there he discovered that art could be a way for him to channel his frustration and improve Denver's Five Points Neighborhood where he lived. Martinez began his career as an artist at the age of thirteen, when he painted his first mural. Primarily painting community murals in under-served communities like the one he grew up in, he has dedicated himself to helping other youth find their own passion for the arts.
His art education includes workshops with world renowned artists and sculptors including David A. Siquieros and Francisco Zuniga. At the age of 20, Emanuel did a major work and two other pieces that are now in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American Art in Washington, D.C.
Since establishing a studio in 1968, Martinez has received international acclaim and prestigious awards for his design capabilities and high standards of workmanship. He enjoys personalizing compositions for clients and doing public works of art for site-specific environments. He has been featured in over 300 newspaper/magazine articles and 37 published books, including a book written on his art career entitled: “Emanuel Martinez: A Retrospective”.
Information from artist's website: http://emanuelmartinez.com
Gift of Emanuel Martinez and his daughter, Lucha Martinez de Luna.
Barney Ford is also featured in What's Your Story exhibit.