Otto Neals
Otto Neals (born December 11, 1931[1]) is an African-American painter and sculptor. Originally from South Carolina, he came to NY at four years old and began painting as a child. Now in his eighties, he still resides in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. This self-taught[2] artist still spends a full day creating his art just as he has done for over 76 years. Although he works out of his basement, he prefers his backyard when weather permits.[3]
Career
Neals has been commissioned to execute several public works including 10 bronze plaques for the Harlem Walk of Fame on 135th street, a 20-foot mural in Kings County Hospital and a bronze sculpture, inspired by the children's book Peter's Chair, as centerpiece of an Imagination Playground in Prospect Park.[2][4] His work can also be found in the private collections of Congressman John Lewis, Harry Belafonte, and Oprah Winfrey.[5]
In June 2015, the Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation held a 50-year retrospective of his sculptures.[6]
Neals is a founding artist of the Fulton Art Fair, the oldest Black visual arts event in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn.[7]
Mr. Neals has been the recipient of many awards during his amazing career as an African American artist residing in New York City. He was presented with the New York City Art Commission's award for Excellence in Design.[8]
References
- ^ "Weusi Artist Collective, NYC Artists". Weusi Artist Collective, NYC Artists. Retrieved 2016-06-17.
- ^ a b Fractenberg, Ben (November 11, 2014). "Brooklyn Artist Otto Neals Gets Huge 5-Gallery Retrospective". DNAinfo New York. Retrieved 2015-10-28.
- ^ Richardson, Clem (February 25, 2011). "Brooklyn artist Otto Neals, 80, is master of many mediums". Daily News. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
- ^ Martin, Douglas (1997-06-21). "Where Imaginations Run Wild". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2016-11-16.
- ^ ""Otto Neals: An Artistic Legacy" 2015 – CUNY Newswire – CUNY". www.cuny.edu. Retrieved 2016-06-17.
- ^ "Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation presents Otto Neals sculpture retrospective | Brooklyn Daily Eagle". www.brooklyneagle.com. Retrieved 2015-10-28.
- ^ "Bed-Stuy's Fulton Art Fair celebrates the artists of the African diaspora | Brooklyn Daily Eagle". www.brooklyneagle.com. Retrieved 2016-06-19.
- ^ https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-otto-neals-retrospective#/. Retrieved 2 October 2016.
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